There’s a shortage of blood at many hospitals around the country, but no shortage of places to roll up that sleeve and give a pint.
Along with helping save a life, donating blood is also a good way to get free stuff like $10 gift cards, beach towels and movie tickets. You could also get the chance to win a few thousand dollars, a vacation or tickets to a big game.
Blood bank Vitalant, which operates in 28 states, is citing a “blood emergency.”
“The blood supply for about 900 hospitals nationwide recently dipped to its lowest level in a year,” the nonprofit said in a recent press release.
One in seven people who go to the hospital need a blood transfusion including accident victims as well as people battling cancer, leukemia, sickle cell or chronic anemia.
While high school and college students are the biggest donors by age group, much of the blood donated for decades has been collected at workplace blood drives. With the transition to remote work workplace donations have taken a big dive. Vitalant alone saw a 50% decrease in business-hosted blood drives last year compared to 2019.
“Just like our pantries need constant restocking, so does the blood supply,” said the American Red Cross said in a statement.
To attract donors, blood banks offer gift cards, chances to win money and even tickets to major sporting events.
Perks for Pints
These days you get a lot more than a T-shirt and some peanut
