Dunkin’ Donuts and American Red Cross Extend “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” Campaign for One Week to Help Replenish Low Blood Supply
Massachusetts
All presenting donors through Feb. 4 will receive a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee*
Dunkin’ Donuts and the American Red Cross are extending the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign through Feb. 4 to support the blood supply. The campaign, which typically runs throughout the month of January in celebration of National Blood Donor Month, provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee* to all presenting donors at Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Severe winter weather throughout much of the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks has caused the cancellation of multiple blood drives, resulting in a loss of more than 18,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross, 5,300 of which were in the Northeast.
“After learning of the blood shortage, Dunkin’ Donuts graciously extended its campaign through Feb. 4 to help the Red Cross replenish the blood supply,” said Donna M. Morrissey, Director of Communications for the American Red Cross Blood Services – Northeast Division. “Dunkin’ Donuts is once again going the extra mile to help ensure we meet the needs of area patients and hospitals.” With more storms expected this week, the Red Cross is encouraging eligible donors to come out in advance and give blood. To donate blood this week, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
Every January, Dunkin’ Donuts and the Red Cross thank donors who support the community blood supply by rolling up their sleeves to give the gift of life. Patients in area hospitals need blood every day and one donation may help save three lives. Because winter is often a challenging time for blood collections due to severe weather and flu season, the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign helps boost blood collections when patients need it most. The campaign achieved great success last year, helping the Red Cross exceed blood collection goals with more than 90,000 pints donated. Over the past three years, Dunkin’ Donuts has provided more than 300,000 pounds of coffee to presenting donors.
“Dunkin’ Donuts and our franchisees are pleased to extend the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign to help increase the blood supply for those in need in our communities,” said Karen Raskopf, Senior Vice President of Communications at Dunkin’ Brands and Co-Chair of the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation. “We believe that providing a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is a great way to thank generous blood donors, and we encourage everyone to donate blood during this critical time of year.”
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*Coupons are redeemable at participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations. Coupons are non transferable and not redeemable for cash.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross has been a primary supplier of lifesaving blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. The Red Cross Blood Services - Northeast Division must distribute approximately 3,000 units of blood each day just to meet the basic needs of area patients. To donate blood and platelets through the Red Cross, individuals must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. The states of Maine, Massachusetts and New York allow those who are 16 years of age to donate blood with parental consent. For additional information please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
About Dunkin' Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's every day, all-day stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories, and the largest coffee and baked goods chain in the world. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for four years running. The company has more than 9,000 restaurants in 31 countries worldwide. In 2009, Dunkin' Donuts' global system-wide sales totaled $5.7 billion. Based in Canton, Massachusetts, Dunkin' Donuts is a subsidiary of Dunkin' Brands, Inc. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
CONTACT: Jecoliah Ellis
Ellisj@usa.redcross.org
781-686-2943
