98 Rock Blood Drive Brings Out Donors
Dec 16, 2025 03:39PM ● By Elise Spleiss
Mom, Carolina Fowler poses with boys Vincent (4) and Benjamin (2 1/2) after waiting patiently while dad Craig donated blood Photo by Elise Spleiss
SACRAMENTO REGION, CA (MPG) – Potential blood donors from all over the Sacramento area and beyond arrived at the annual “Role Up Your Sleeve” blood drive on a November weekend following the direction of the DJs at 98 Rock station in Sacramento.
The annual event is sponsored by the Marketplace At Birdcage, a large outdoor shopping mall in Citrus Heights, providing donors a blood drive they can put on their calendar and look forward to each year.
Vitalant volunteers greeted donors at tables near the Bloodmobiles where they registered donors who had appointments as they arrived and put walk-ups on a waiting list. No one is turned away.
Despite the cold and wet weather, which remained in the mid-40’s all three days, donors waited patiently sitting in chairs or walking around the stores until it was their turn. Three bloodmobiles served donors on Friday, one on Saturday and two on the final day.
Dad Adrian Roberts (center) and sons Brian (left) and Anthony (right) have made donating blood at this location every year a family tradition. Photo by Elise Spleiss
To help fill the need for blood throughout the region, 98Rock station DJ Myki Angeline, Vitalant communications manager Kristin Conner and Audacy, Inc, a broadcasting company, came together to plan the 34th annual 98 Rock ‘N Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive, which takes place over three days. Planning the event took the team several months.
One family brought their young children along, setting an example for helping others. Mom Carolina Fowler joined her husband with two sons, Vincent (4) and Benjamin (2 1/2), waiting while dad Craig donated blood.
A resident of Carmichael, Craig said he donates blood to save lives. He is active with many causes in Sacramento County including working with the homeless, foster youth, community housing, better public transportation and other causes all “in the spirit of giving.”
Siblings Laura and Daniel from Granite Bay, sporting their 98 Rock donor t-shirts, began donating blood right after high school. Photo by Elise Spleiss
Donating blood for others is a true family affair. Dad Adrian Roberts and sons Brian and Anthony said, “We’re here again to give our blood; it’s a way to give back to the community, our way of helping people out, once a year, rain or shine. This is the only blood drive we do.”
Anthony started donating blood in high school, and they now follow 98 Rock to the donation site, making this a family tradition.
They come from different walks of life. Dad Adrian is a utility supervisor in Goldfield, Nevada, Brian is a mechanic for Ford Auto and brother Anthony does billing for Casco Dock and Doors in Sacramento. Formerly from South Sacramento, Brian and Anthony now come from Elk Grove to donate, and Adrian from Nevada.
Another family has made donating blood a family habit. Siblings Laura and Daniel Collins from Granite Bay began donating blood over 20 years ago, right out of high school. Laura, who works for the State of California, and donated blood at their last drive, saw the 98 Rock blood drive ad in their newsletter and asked her brother to join her. They are always looking for opportunities to donate.
Russell Muir, a long time Blood Source and now Vitalant volunteer makes Vincent (a future donor?) laugh while Mom looks on. Photo by Elise Spleiss
Connor said in an email following the weekend, “We collected more than 100 donations, and we exceeded goals each day of the drive. It’s the blood on the hospital shelves that saves lives, so we need donors every day to ensure it is always available to patients throughout the community.”
The need for blood makes up a long list including traumatic injuries from motor vehicle or recreational accidents, gun violence injuries, patients in cancer treatment, mothers with pregnancy-related or childbirth-related complications, burns, heart surgeries and more. Blood transfusions take place every two seconds in the United States.
The demographic of 98 Rock station listeners is middle aged individuals, 40 years and above. The station plays a wide variety of music from the 90s to 2000s rock.
At the end of a long weekend, Volunteer Russell Muir of Carmichael and Vitalant Account Manager, Amanda Nelson are looking forward to 2026. Photo by Kristin Connor
Connor also said in an email, “We want to thank the life-saving donors who braved the cold weather and donated at our 34th Annual 98 Rock Blood Drive for Life. Given that blood donation dips significantly throughout the holiday season and winter months, your donation is even more critical now for patients in need.
“We also want to extend our deep appreciation for the team at 98 Rock for their 34-year partnership and to the entire Marketplace at Birdcage team for graciously hosting the blood drive and promoting the drive with us.”
For more information about Vitalant Blood, visit: www.vitalant.org or call 877-258-4825 for appointment
For more information about 98 Rock, visit: www.audacy.com/krxq
