Blood Donation Incentives

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – With the increase in spring traveling and warm weather activities comes the increased risk of severe accidents and injuries.

East Central Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross Executive Director Rod Cook discussed some of the challenges the Red Cross faces this time of year and how donor support proves crucial in filling those needs. 

“A lot of donors throughout the month of March take vacations and going into April also. So that impacts our ability to collect the blood that the hospitals need. This is something else that we experience. Starting in spring going into the summer months, people start getting out a lot more whether it’s in their yards or in vehicles. So we do see an increase and demand from hospitals because there’s various types of accidents that happen,” Cook said.

The Red Cross often offers cool little gifts and entries into raffles to their blood donors as a thank you for their generosity and as fun incentives to entice the public toward their donations.

“This runs through March 24th,” Cook said. “In which every blood donor will receive a $10 dollar, e-gift card to any pet supply store. And there’s a process you go through to do that. In addition to that you’ll be put into a drawing to win the one of five people to win $3,000 dollar gift cards.”

To find out where and when the Red Cross will be accepting blood donations as well as to sign up for their raffle you can visit redcrossblood.org.