The American Red Cross is Offering the Chance to Win Super Bowl Tickets For Donations

ZANESVILLE, Ohio–You could win free Super Bowl tickets–as long as you’re not afraid of needles. 

People who donate blood to the American Red Cross now through January 26 have the chance to see the big game in New Orleans. 

The winner will get two tickets along with a three night hotel stay, a thousand dollar gift card for expenses and more. 

Red Cross Regional Communications Manager Don Hawkins says the incentive is to make up for the drop in donations over the holidays. 

“That’s partially tied to holiday travel and holiday plans and all these other things that are going to eat up everyone’s time that can normally be used to go and donate blood. When that happens we see the supply strain a little bit,” Hawkins said. “We’re not in a shortage yet, but to avoid being in a shortage, we’re asking anyone who can or wants to go give blood to make an appointment to get out there.”

Hawkins said the Red Cross lost the chance to collect hundreds of units of blood after the snow canceled several blood drives. 

People who donate now will be automatically entered to win, but the impact of blood will go further than New Orleans. 

“We’ve all had family members that have had an emergency situation or maybe a cancer treatment or something where blood or blood products are used to help them,” Hawkins said. “Your act of going out and giving blood, giving platelets is going to help maybe someone in an emergency, maybe someone getting routine treatment.”

To schedule an appointment or get more details on the Super Bowl trip, you can visit the Red Cross website. 

This story was submitted by WHIZ News Intern Alison Patton.