All those who come out to give blood or platelets in January will receive a $5 DD Card as a thank you for helping save lives through blood donation
SYRACUSE, NY — For the 11th year, the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts will partner in January to help increase blood donations and reward generous donors. Through the Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign, all those who come to give blood or platelets in January at Red Cross blood drives in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and parts of New York will receive a $5 DD Card.*
“Donating blood or platelets helps to save lives, and with Dunkin’ Donuts’ support, we can help ensure hospital patients receive the transfusions they need,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “We appreciate the dedication that Dunkin’ Donuts has given to our mission for more than a decade. The need for blood doesn’t break for winter weather. Please make an appointment to give the gift of life through a blood or platelet donation this January.”
The $5 DD Card can be used toward the purchase of any item – including coffee, hot chocolate and baked goods, among other items – at participating Dunkin’ Donuts. In addition, the DD Card features a Red Cross logo, is reloadable and can also be enrolled in the DD Perks® Rewards program.
“We’re proud to partner with the Red Cross once again to thank blood donors this January,” said Eric Stensland, Dunkin Donuts field marketing manager. “The Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign clearly resonates with donors and benefits countless people and communities in need. It reflects Dunkin’ Donuts’ steadfast commitment to the health of the communities in which we live and operate.”
The Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts partnership has achieved great success during the past 10 years by supporting the collection of approximately 790,000 blood and platelet donations during January, which is often a challenging month for donations due to winter weather forcing blood drives to cancel and seasonal illnesses temporarily keeping some donors at home.
This is a special year for the American Red Cross Blood Services Region’s Syacuse District. In what was called the “most significant post-war development” of the American Red Cross Syracuse and Onondaga Chapter, its Board of Directors approved the opening of a blood donation center in Syracuse to provide blood products to civilian hospitals. After the Board’s approval in 1948, the Onondaga Medical Society voted in favor of the program. The first blood donors in the Syracuse area began giving blood for civilians at Chapter Headquarters, until a blood donation center was formally opened on June 9, 1949. This year marks the the 70th anniversary of this special event.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
About Dunkin’ Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ Donuts is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ Donuts is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ Donuts has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for 11 years running. The company has more than 12,300 restaurants in 46 countries worldwide. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin’ Donuts is part of the Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
*Card value expires Feb. 28, 2018.