Special to the Courier
American Red Cross blood and platelet donors can win one of two $500 gift cards in August
Giving blood is worthwhile at any time during the year, but give blood or platelets this August and you could walk away with a shopping spree as part of the Give a Little — Buy a Lot promotion.
All participants at American Red Cross blood or platelet drives and donor centers during August can register to win one of two $500 gift cards. And blood donors can register for a chance to win every time they donate.
“We know blood donors give out of the goodness of their hearts as a way of helping local patients,” Randy Edwards, the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Services Southern Region, said. “Every donation is very important to us and we want donors to know how much we appreciate their gift of life. This promotion is one way we can show them just how grateful we are for the gift they so selflessly give when they donate blood.”
Between May and September, the American Red Cross and other blood services sees a decrease in the blood supply.
Since college and high school students, who account for about 20 percent of all blood donations nationally, are out of school and other donors leave for vacation, fewer donations are made during the summer.
Patients’ need for blood is elevated during the summer “trauma season,” and the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region must have 1,200 people give blood each weekday to meet hospital demand.
If all eligible donors gave blood twice a year, there would never be shortages.
Blood is needed by about four million people in the United States each year, and the overwhelming majority would die without it.
There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Every day accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses, receive life-saving transfusions.
Blood and platelets donors must be at least 17 years old and way no less than 110 pounds. It is safe to give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks.
To learn more about Give a Little — Buy a Lot, or to find a place to donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. The names of the gift card winners will be posted on the web site in September.
American Red Cross blood and platelet donors can win one of two $500 gift cards in August
Giving blood is worthwhile at any time during the year, but give blood or platelets this August and you could walk away with a shopping spree as part of the Give a Little — Buy a Lot promotion.
All participants at American Red Cross blood or platelet drives and donor centers during August can register to win one of two $500 gift cards. And blood donors can register for a chance to win every time they donate.
“We know blood donors give out of the goodness of their hearts as a way of helping local patients,” Randy Edwards, the chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Services Southern Region, said. “Every donation is very important to us and we want donors to know how much we appreciate their gift of life. This promotion is one way we can show them just how grateful we are for the gift they so selflessly give when they donate blood.”
Between May and September, the American Red Cross and other blood services sees a decrease in the blood supply.
Since college and high school students, who account for about 20 percent of all blood donations nationally, are out of school and other donors leave for vacation, fewer donations are made during the summer.
Patients’ need for blood is elevated during the summer “trauma season,” and the American Red Cross Blood Services Southern Region must have 1,200 people give blood each weekday to meet hospital demand.
If all eligible donors gave blood twice a year, there would never be shortages.
Blood is needed by about four million people in the United States each year, and the overwhelming majority would die without it.
There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Every day accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell anemia and other illnesses, receive life-saving transfusions.
Blood and platelets donors must be at least 17 years old and way no less than 110 pounds. It is safe to give blood every 56 days and platelets every two weeks.
To learn more about Give a Little — Buy a Lot, or to find a place to donate, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. The names of the gift card winners will be posted on the web site in September.