Stewart’s Shops to offer American Red Cross blood donors a sweet reward in June
For a seventh year, Stewart’s Shops is treating Red Cross blood donors to free pints of ice cream as a part of the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program.
Summer is a challenging time to collect enough blood donations to meet the needs of patients, according to a press release from the American Red Cross.
For the month of June, presenting donors at blood drives in 26 counties across Upstate New York will receive a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shop’s ice cream or gelato. Vouchers can be redeemed at any Stewart’s Shops location.
“This is one our favorite campaigns because we are helping people in need of lifesaving blood,” Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops and loyal blood donor, said in a press release. “When you give a pint, you’ll get a pint of Stewart’s ice cream. And what’s better than ice cream in the summer?”
Every day the Red Cross must collect enough blood to meet the
needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
“We are thrilled to partner with Stewart’s Shops again this year with this critical and fun promotion. When summer hits our blood donations start to slow down yet the need for blood is constant. ‘Give A Pint, Get A Pint’
is a great way to remind people that their donation could save a life while getting thanked with the ultimate summer treat, ice cream,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO of American Red Cross Eastern New York Region, in the release.
The need for blood is constant and blood is only available through the generosity of donors, the release said, noting that a diverse donor base is important, and all blood types are needed. Each donation can help to save up to three lives.
The Red Cross is looking for donations from people of all backgrounds to meet collection needs.
The Red Cross needs to collect about 12,500 blood donations and more than 2,700 platelet donations to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and other facilities across the country.
In most cases, there’s no blood donation deferral if you received a COVID-19 vaccine and you’re symptom-free and feeling well when you come to give.
Stewart’s Shops “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” vouchers will be offered to blood donors presenting at blood drives in the following Capital Region counties from June 1 to 30: Albany, Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.
More information about how to donate blood can be found online at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.