Take blood, give blood, win a prize
Many of us have received blood transfusions, but few people donate it.
According to the American Red Cross, about 3 percent of age-eligible people donate blood annually.
Every month, it seems, we get a news release from the Red Cross urging people to donate blood. The most recent one ran in Monday’s edition of the paper.
“The American Red Cross urges people to donate blood, plasma and platelets ... to receive a $10 Visa Prepaid Card. Participants also will be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa Prepaid Card,” the article reads.
In February, the Red Cross news release read similarly.
“As an extra incentive, all who come to donate blood in February will get a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email. Those who come to donate this month also will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Clearwater Beach, Fla.,” the article outlined.
The calls to action come with a chance to take home gift cards and to win even larger prizes.
But we feel people should be more compelled to give blood on their own. It shouldn’t take a gift card to make it happen, but if it encourages someone to take the extra step, then so be it.
Every two seconds, someone across the country needs blood, the Red Cross says on its website. That blood is needed to help patients with surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries.
If you’ve taken blood before, but haven’t given as often, perhaps look at making an appointment to donate.
Book an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Or you can look at donating via Vitalant, at vitalant.org.
For the record, Vitalant, too, is running a promotion: All donors during March will be automatically entered in a drawing to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards.
If a chance at getting $3,000 from the Red Cross isn’t enough, why not take a go at the $10,000? Just saying, your odds might be better than in the lottery.
— TL
