Red Cross offers incentives for blood donors
Making an offer a person can’t refuse should be the theme of the American Red Cross’s blood-drive coming Tuesday, July 20 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. to Fire Station One located on South Jackson Street near downtown Russellville.
Communications Manager with the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region for the ARC Evan Duffy said summertime is one of the toughest times of the year to round up donors and hopefully throwing some prizes out there will bring them out.
“We encourage those who only give once a year to give during the summer because summertime is always challenging to bring in donors,” Duffy said. “Hopefully these great prizes will give that extra incentive to get off the couch and come down to give blood.”
Duffy said the Tuesday blood-drive event will include:
• Coupons for a free 18-holes of golf on participating Robert Trent Jones Golf Trails (excluding golf cart fee)
• A chance to win a 2011 Ford Fiesta through website registration from July 1 thru Nov. 1 at www.redcrossracing.com
• Free hamburgers served through the partnership with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association
• A regional drawing in the months of July, August, September to win $1,000 gift card.
• Free T-shirts, hats and pizza coupons
Duffy said those who attempt to donate will also be included in the prize incentives.
“Sometimes you get those that want to give blood, but are unable to because they don’t weigh enough, are feeling under the weather, can’t stand the sight of blood and things like that,” he said. “Those individuals will be eligible for the prizes just as long as they come to the blood drive and attempt to give blood.”
Duffy said every drop of blood counts towards saving someone’s life, but the negative O type blood can help those in the medical profession tremendously.
“If someone hits the emergency room and needs blood fast, but has no idea what their blood type is, medical personnel usually turn to the universal negative O blood type,” Duffy said.
“We are continuing to struggle for that rare blood type. We want to really encourage those with negative O to come and donate as much as possible.”
Franklin County Fire Marshal Bobby Malone said he has never been part of a blood drive that has offered a car for the prize.
“It seems like a great deal to me,” he said. “Give a little blood and have a chance to win a car is kind of an ideal situation.”
Malone said the free round of golf at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and the free food should definitely draw a crowd.
“Golf isn’t cheap on that course and to get a coupon for a free round of golf should help save some money for sure,” Malone said.
“And of course free food always brings folks in. It should be a very successful event to say the least.”
The Russellville Fire Department will be sponsoring the event and requires everyone who is donating to bring a photo ID or an ARC blood donor’s card.
