Red Cross, Dunkin’ join forces to encourage blood donation

Blood supplies remain critically low nationwide

As a national blood shortage emergency continues, the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ of Greater Philadelphia have kicked off their annual summer initiative to encourage blood donors to step forward across the region.

As part of the effort, Dunkin’ will provide 16,500 vouchers, which will be given to Red Cross blood and platelet donors throughout the month of August. The vouchers can be redeemed for a free medium iced coffee and a free classic donut at Dunkin’ locations in the Greater Philadelphia region.

The Red Cross’ partnership with Dunkin’ Greater Philadelphia has been in place for seven years, according to Alana Mauger, Red Cross spokeswoman. Twice a year, in January and August — “two challenging times for blood collection,” she said — the company provides vouchers to blood and platelet donors across the region.

In early July, following a difficult Fourth of July week for blood and platelet donations and ongoing challenges finding new blood donors, the American Red Cross issued an emergency call for eligible individuals of all blood types to donate blood to prevent delays in medical care.

The emergency blood shortage continues, according to Mauger, with less than a three-day supply of most blood types (and a lessthan two-day supply of type O blood) available to hospitals. At a minimum, the Red Cross strives to have at least a five-day supply for hospitals, she said, adding that blood is being sent out to hospitals at a faster rate than donations are coming in.

Donating blood takes about an hour, according to the Red Cross, while donating platelets takes about two hours.

“We always have a challenging time in summer with shortages, but don’t typically have emergencies,” Mauger said. “In summer the challenge is that school is out and 20% of the blood supply comes from drives at colleges and high schools.” She added that blood drives during the July 4 week, were “really low.”

July’s emergency declaration followed an announcement in November 2018 of a blood shortage, due in part to hurricanes and wildfires experienced in 2018. Mauger said inventory “never quite rebounded” from that early shortage. She added that in the past week, there has been an uptick in appointments, which the agency is hoping will translate into a better blood supply nationally.

Mauger added that initiatives like the one with Dunkin’ of Greater Philadelphia help to get the word out.

“The added visibility around it might spark someone to remind them to give,” she said.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Dunkin’ and encourage local donors to give blood in a time of need with this amazing incentive,” Garrett Reid, director of donor recruitment, for the American Red Cross, said in a press release.

“We hope that by offering donors a free medium iced coffee and classic donut, Dunkin’ will help encourage the Philadelphia community to stop by a local donation center and donate blood during this time of need,” Jessica Weissman, field marketing manager, Dunkin’ Brands, said in the release.

Mauger previously told MediaNews Group that donors are encouraged to make appointments, although they can walk into a blood drive.

To schedule an appointment to donate, call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Mauger said in a January interview, that the Penn Jersey Blood Services Region must collect about 800 donations every day to meet patient needs at 230 hospitals across the region.

Because the Red Cross Penn Jersey Blood Services Region is part of the national blood supply, needs in other areas of the country mean blood from this area is sent where it’s needed, once patient and hospital needs are met in the region.

The partnership with Dunkin’ Donuts is one of several the Red Cross has with organizations. Other partnerships include:

A current national initiative with Amazon.com, where Amazon is providing a $5 gift card by email to all presenting blood and platelet donors between July 29 and Aug. 29. For more information visit www.redcrossblood.org.

Another national partnership, with Sport Clips, will roll-out in September. Sport Clips will provide all presenting donors with a coupon for a free haircut.

Regionally, The Red Cross partnered with Wawa in March 2019, with Wawa providing coupons for a free medium hot coffee to all blood and platelet donors during March.

For more information about the American Red Cross visit RedCross.org.