Usually, donating blood comes with two souvenirs: A sense of pride for helping others, and a cookie (or juice box).
This month, however, the American Red Cross has partnered with the National Football League to give away something a little more exciting: Tickets to Super Bowl LIX.
This is the sixth year the NFL has partnered up with the American Red Cross, in the name of National Blood Donor Month. And this strategic move means you could score big.
Between January 1 and 26, anyone who gives blood through the American Red Cross will automatically be entered for a chance to win a Super Bowl LIX giveaway. It includes exclusive in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the big game itself, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations, and $1,000 for additional expenses.
“Health emergencies don’t pause for holidays or game day,” the American Red Cross says on its website. “Donors are needed now: Step off the sidelines and roll up a sleeve to help patients in need.”
This call to action comes on the heels of a surge of holiday donors — but a dip in resources after the new year. According to the American Red Cross, the start of the new year is one of the most challenging times for blood collection, as folks face winter weather and seasonal illness.
“Severe winter weather is one of the biggest threats to maintaining a stable blood supply,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Donor Services for the American Red Cross, in a statement.
“Snow and ice caused about 16,000 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected last winter. In addition, hazardous weather conditions can make it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, potentially affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.”
As meteorologists predict dramatically colder and snowier days in January, donors who can share blood or platelets provide a beacon of hope during the rough season.
Red Cross leaders also want potential donors to know that vaccines for common illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV do not require wait times for donations.
“The Red Cross encourages individuals to protect their own health this cold season,” a press release states. “Receiving any of these vaccines causes no wait period to donate and does not affect donation eligibility, if you are healthy, feeling well and symptom-free at the time of donation.”
Last year’s Super Bowl giveaway winner, David Suggs, didn’t let the cold season hold him back from donating.
“I’m not a firefighter, I’m not a first responder, but donating blood is something I can do to help others,” Suggs said in a statement. He and his wife, Christine, called the sweepstakes “a once in a lifetime experience.”
“We’re just so grateful,” he added.
Donors of all blood types — particularly type O negative and those giving platelets — are needed this season. Interested individuals can sign up to donate online or by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
All donors will need to fill out a pre-donation health questionnaire and must bring a blood donor card or driver’s license (or two other forms of identification) at check-in. Donors can also prepare these requirements ahead of time by creating a Rapid Pass online.
“Without the dedication of blood and platelet donors, the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross would not be possible,” the organization shared in a statement.
“Unlike other medical treatments, blood cannot be manufactured in a laboratory or stockpiled. It must constantly be replenished to help meet the transfusion needs of patients across the country.”
Header image courtesy of the American Red Cross
