American Red Cross uses football to try to attract more blood donors

MURRAY, Utah – As the new year begins, the American Red Cross is pushing for more people to donate blood.

The organization is even using football to try to stir up interest. The NFL and the Red Cross have partnered to offer a trip for two to the Super Bowl next month in California.

Any donors who give blood or platelets through Jan. 25 will be entered to win, said Benjamin Donner, executive director of the American Red Cross Central & Southern Utah Chapter.

Donner said the need for blood donors is high, especially at this time of year.

“When everyone is out – holidays, all of that – sometimes it gets in the way of prioritizing donating blood,” Donner said, adding that over the last few months, there has been a “decline in the number of individuals making that choice and coming out.”

Jody Anagnos, who lives in Midway, started off the new year on Thursday by donating blood – or, blood platelets, to be precise.

“I had the day off, and there’s no snow to ski,” Anagnos said, laughing, “so I have the whole day off.”

Giving blood is something she’s been doing for a while.

“I had a friend who got really sick about 15 years ago, and so there was a group of us that just started donating for her because she needed platelets and blood,” she said. “I just kind of got in the habit knowing that people needed it.”

Donner hopes more people will step up and help fill the need.

“Blood is only good for 42 days,” he said. “If we don’t collect blood and platelets today, we can’t make it up tomorrow because tomorrow is already accounted for.”

“For me, it’s not difficult,” added Anagnos. “It’s very easy, so it’s an easy decision to make to take the time.”

For more information on how to become a blood donor, visit the American Red Cross website.

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