Brazil rejects Naomi Campbell at blood drive
Supermodel must wait longer after having surgery in February, officials say
 | British model Naomi Campbell was unable to donate blood for victims of dengue fever in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, April 15. She could not donate because she underwent surgery five weeks ago. Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease, has killed nearly 100 people and infected more than 70,000 in Brazil this year. |
Silvia Izquierdo / AP |
updated 2:59 p.m. ET April 15, 2008
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - British supermodel Naomi Campbell wants to give blood to help fight a dengue fever epidemic, but Brazilian officials won't take it yet.
Campbell went to the HemoRio medical center on Tuesday to take part in a blood drive, but was turned away. Officials there say she needs to wait longer after having surgery in February to remove a cyst.
An outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever has infected more than 75,000 people in Rio de Janeiro state this year and killed at least 80.
Campbell often visits Brazil and Rio Mayor Cesar Maia has invited her to be a goodwill ambassador for the city.
Click for related content |
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
- Discuss StoryOn Newsvine
- Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM PEOPLE |
 People Section Front |
| Add People headlines to your news reader: |