Happy Vampire Day

Not really something we typically think of when we use the term vampire, but our friends in Brazil have added a new twist to the application of the vampire archetype and symbol by creating the Day of the Vampire to promote, among other things, desperately needed blood donations for blood banks in Brazil. Culturally speaking, there is a lot of discrimination against the practice of donating blood, as well as gothic lifestyles, etc. The Day of the Vampire helps combat that, and helps save hundreds of lives with their record-breaking donation collections.

It's an interesting idea, and one I'd really like to see take off other places. Given the vampire-happy American population, I can see running vampire-themed drives around the US being extremely successful. Perhaps something for next year...

A more "official" blurb:

13th of August there will be a Vampire Celebration of the Avenida Paulista (those from São Paulo).

The clinical blood drive will start at 10am, at the Museum of Art of São Paulo (MASP).

Artists, makeup artists, and supporters will be present.

August 13 is Day of the Vampire,in São Paulo and additionally officially celebrated at events in several cities of Brazil and even from abroad.

This day was created by filmmaker, writer and actress Liz Marins (LizVamp).

It's a way that she found to use the fiction of vampires to help our poor reality of blood banks, and encourage attitudes essential for other causes she believed in.

The causes being raised (for) are:

. Incentive to Donate Blood (It's the day when the vampires donate instead of eat)

. Fighting Prejudice and Discrimination

. Encouraging Diversity Art.

People confuse the clothes, the outside of someone with your spirit. The surface is not tattooed the physical nature of a being.

Liz has hosted the original Blood Donation Campaign since 2002, differently and creatively. It often shocks/surprises people, but it has beat the record in voluntary blood donations blood in Latin America.

Each year that passes the campaign gets more fans, artists and several important people, including many icons of the underground scene.



Rough video translation:
You have seen them appear all over, the sexy ones in black. On the 13th of August, the Day of the Vampires, find your local blood donation center. With one donation, you can save various (many) lives. To be a Hero you dont need have a symbol on your chest - Just Donate Blood"