Nostalgic fans, still stuck on Buffy, give blood in the Vampire Slayer’s hometown of Torrance
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The Torrance Red Cross Blood Donation Center on Sunday served as the flagship site for “Buffy Slay Day,” a tribute to TV heroine “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” which enjoys eternal life in streaming reruns despite ending its original run in 2003.
The spooky teen series premiered 23 years ago to the day, March 10, 1996, on Fox-TV. Its real-life setting was Torrance High School, known on TV as “Sunnydale High,” just minutes away from the donation center.
“Beverly Hills 90210” was also filmed at the school. Hollywood loves the school’s classical, homespun facade, capturing the aura of an iconic American high school.
“We don’t always say yes to vampire things (but) when they said, ‘we want to do something for Buffy,’ I said ‘OK’ immediately,” Becky Sendrow, director of celebrity & entertainment engagement said. “This show is all about empowerment so it was an easy yes and we love an opportunity to be relevant in pop culture.”
Everyone who walked in the door with the intention of donating — whether eligible or not — received a comic book. There’s a lot that goes into the eligibility criteria but the main staples are to be in good general health, be at least 17 years-old, weight at least 110 pounds and have not donated in the past 56 days.
“We’ve seen a number of donors who haven’t donated in awhile who were inspired,” she said. “And the added giveaways were an added bonus.”
Those who were eligible and did have their blood taken on Slay Day had their choice from a bounty of Buffy swag — including action figures, pins, t-shirts and a Buffy-themed novel.
And fans showed up and showed out for the free stuff. Amanda Aguirre came out for a specific shirt she saw on the flyer.
Christine Welch, communications manager, said she had some folks swoop in all the way from Simi Valley.
Cynthia Moreno was also wooed by Buffy into donating for the first time Sunday afternoon. She came with her family, who instantly pointed to her as the biggest Buffy fan in the throng.
“(I’ve been watching) since I was little when it came on,” she said. “The needle’s the only thing (I’m worried about,) but I’ll just look away.”
“Our hope is that it’s so successful that we find a reason to do more inspiring things,” Sendrow said. “New donors are a huge win.”
Another TV-propelled promotion is under way — “Bleed For The Throne,” created by HBO and the American Red Cross, offers fans a chance to win a trip to the Season Eight premiere of Game of Thrones if they donate by March 17.
And those who donate between March 7-12 will receive a Game of Thrones t-shirt while supplies last. Visit www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/hbogameofthrones.html for more information.