Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The American Red Cross and Stewart’s Shops announced today that for a second year in a row, the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program has been a sweet success. The program provided donors from 20 Eastern New York counties who gave blood in June a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shops ice cream or gelato. Thanks in part to “Give a Pint, Get a Pint”, blood donations in the area exceeded the monthly expectation in June: More than 6800 units of blood were donated. So far, 2,700 of these donors have redeemed vouchers for a free pint of Stewart’s Shops ice cream or gelato.
“Give a Pint, Get a Pint” launched just before the Red Cross issued an emergency call for donors of all types to give blood so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
Blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. In the New-York Penn Region, an estimated 1000 blood and platelet donations are needed every day to serve patients in approximately 90 hospitals.
“The Stewart’s Shops ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint’ partnership continues to be a wonderful success,” said Red Cross Donor Recruitment Manager of NY-Penn Region Blood Services Sonja Ronovech. “It’s thanks to community partners like Stewart’s Shops and our thousands of dedicated blood donors, that the Red Cross can fulfill its lifesaving mission.”
“We gave them pint of ice cream, but blood donors are giving so much more,” noted Stewart’s Shops President Gary Dake. “They are helping to save lives. We’re truly impressed by the donor turnout this June, and hope that the Red Cross continues to see that incredible support all year long.”
The summer months are among the most challenging times of the year for blood and platelet donations as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and anticipate summer activities. In a recent survey of Red Cross blood donors, 73 percent indicted vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
###