American Red Cross Offering Extra Incentive to Curb Blood Shortage

Jasper - Amid a severe blood shortage, the American Red Cross is offering extra incentive to attract more donors.

Among the number of ways that the Coronavirus Pandemic negatively affected, it has created the "perfect storm" for blood supplies, says Red Cross Regional Communication Director Sherri McKinney.

"We always see a shortage usually happen during the summer because people are travelling, schools are closed, and we typically do a lot of the blood drives, but this year it is excessive," McKinney said. "Following COVID a lot of people did not have surgery, that put off surgery until after COVID; we're seeing more people travelling now, because they weren't travelling before COVID, so now they are on the road, which is increasing the trauma cases that hospitals are seeing. So really it's just a perfect storm right now."

As a thank you to all who choose to donate from July 1st through July 6th, The American Red Cross will offer a Red Cross embroidered hat. Donors attending from July 7th to July 31st will be given a $10 Amazon gift card through the mail and entered into drawing to win gas for a year.

Should an individual not be able to donate upon showing up, they will still receive the prizes for the attempt. But, McKinney says, the incentives shouldn't the primary reason to choose to donate blood.

"Honestly, this is something that we need to do as Americans," McKinney said. "We all came forward during COVID, we all stuck together, and we really pushed through. Now, seeing light at the end of the tunnel, knowing that what you do - that 20 minutes that you spend donating blood - that could turn into lifetime for someone else, that should be motivation enough."

To schedule an appointment, potential donors may visit redcrossblood.org, or dial 1-800-RED-CROSS.