American Red Cross offers Amazon gift card for those who donate blood

SALT LAKE CITY — The American Red Cross has an incentive for those who donate blood this month. To boost donations, people donating in February will receive a $20 Amazon gift card.

They say more blood donations were canceled in January than last year combined. According to a press release by the American Red Cross, harsh winter weather canceled 534 blood drives nationwide in January. 

Benjamin Donner is the executive director of the American Red Cross Central and Southern Utah Chapter. Donner said the American Red Cross is responsible for 40% of the nation’s blood donations. 

“Across the country, the majority of the hospitals rely on the American Red Cross to supply that emergency blood, the blood for cancer patients, any of those needs.”

According to Donner, all those cancellations in January amount to a potential loss of 15,000 units of blood. 

“Well, this is where this is where the community comes in,” Donner said. “And our community, especially right here in Utah, is amazing at coming out and helping us when we need to.”

Donner said they are seeking support in two ways.

“We ask to have individual donors sign up to come donate blood,” he said. “We also are looking for organizations and partners and churches. Let’s create part of your culture by having American Red Cross Blood drives. Let’s set those up as well and create even more opportunities for these amazing blood donors to come.”

“Come roll up the sleeve come with us and make this happen,” Donner said. “There’s somebody counting on it.”

Related:

• Blood donor eligibility guidelines updated, says American Red Cross
• The American Red Cross of Utah celebrates laboratory team
• Red Cross urges Utah preparedness during National Preparedness Month
• Red Cross Home Fire Campaign reaches goal