LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — The Red Cross X Metallica Blood Donation Experience collected 640 blood donations in its first two weeks, more than double its goal of 300, according to the American Red Cross.
Nearly 61% of those donations, or 389, came from first-time donors.
MORE ON FOX5: Red Cross, Metallica launch Las Vegas blood donation experience
Donation totals exceed daily goal
From Sept. 28 through Oct. 9, the experience averaged 64 blood donations per day, more than twice its daily goal of 30.
First-time donors made up nearly 61% of total donations, compared with the 26% to 31% typically seen at Red Cross blood drives, according to the release.
The experience also collected 218 type O blood donations, representing more than one-third of the total. The release stated that O-negative blood can be transfused to patients of any blood type, and O-positive blood is the most frequently transfused blood type.
“We knew Metallica fans would come out to support this, but the number of first-time donors has been incredible,” said Rachel Flanigan, executive director of the American Red Cross Southern Nevada Chapter. “We’re reaching people who may never have considered donating blood before. We hope their first donation is the beginning of something they continue doing.”
About the donation experience
The Red Cross X Metallica Blood Donation Experience is sponsored by Delta Air Lines and opened ahead of the band’s residency at Sphere. It was created with Metallica and its foundation, All Within My Hands.
The pop-up donation center offers an immersive, backstage-inspired experience while collecting blood for hospitals and patients.
Visitors can view Metallica artwork and memorabilia, sit behind a replica drum kit like one used by founding member Lars Ulrich, and have refreshments in the Delta Backstage Lounge. Those who donate blood receive a limited-edition T-shirt designed by Metallica artist Squindo, while supplies last, and are automatically entered for a chance to win a replica TAMA drum kit.
The experience continues through March 19, 2027, at Fashion Show Las Vegas, 3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S., on the second level near Dillard’s.
Blood donations are scheduled Monday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. through mid-November. Hours for mid-November through March 2027 will be announced.
Appointments can be scheduled at RedCrossBlood.org/Metallica, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Partnership expands nationwide
The Las Vegas experience builds on a partnership that began in April 2025, when the Red Cross and Metallica held blood drives at select stops during the U.S. leg of the M72 Tour.
The effort expanded nationwide through Give Where You Live, encouraging fans across the country to donate blood. More than 25,000 blood donations have been collected across the United States through the partnership.
Metallica also brought its blood donation efforts to overseas stops on the M72 World Tour, with approximately 93,000 donations collected worldwide.
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