A University of Utah AirMed life-flight helicopter will touch down at the ARUP Blood Services Sandy Donor Center on Saturday, Aug. 8, giving families a chance to climb aboard the aircraft, meet the flight crew and donate blood during a national shortage.

The free event runs from 8 to 11 a.m. at 9786 S. 500 W. in Sandy.

ARUP calls it its biggest AirMed event ever. The helicopter on display will be AirMed's largest in its fleet of five, which together transport trauma, burn, pediatric and neonatal patients around the clock across northern Utah and Wyoming.

"We are so excited about this collaboration with the University of Utah AirMed services," Deb Jordan, community relations supervisor at ARUP Blood Services, said in a July 31 announcement. "ARUP is the sole provider of blood products for the University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, and that includes the AirMed helicopters."

Blood that ARUP collects flies aboard AirMed on every flight. One donor at Saturday's event will win a ride on the helicopter.

The event comes as the American Red Cross declared a national blood crisis on July 27 for the second time in its history, with the national supply dropping nearly 25% in one month. "We cannot manufacture blood, and there is no substitute for a donor who takes an hour to give," Heidi Ruster, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah/Nevada Region, told ABC4 that day.

What else is happening

The Sandy Fire Department will bring a fire truck and crew from 9 to 10 a.m. University of Utah cheerleaders and mascot Swoop join Salt Lake Bees mascot Bumble during the same hour. The Alta High School Drum Corps performs from 8:30 to 9 a.m.

Staff from the U of U Health Wellness Bus, Burn Center, Trauma department, Huntsman Cancer Institute and SafeUT will also be on hand.

The first 300 attendees get a free canvas tote bag.

How to take part

Donors can schedule a blood donation appointment by calling 801-584-5272 or through the ARUP Donor Portal online. Walk-ins for the helicopter tour and other activities are welcome; no appointment needed to attend.