The American Red Cross is getting creative to replenish what it says is a dangerously low supply of blood in the Washington area, and is offering $5 Amazon gift cards to anyone who donates before August 31.
Right now, the organization have less than a five-day supply on hand, which is partly because so many people go away during the summer. Red Cross chapters all over the country are facing similar problems, according to the organization.
Bernadette Jay, the Red Cross’s communications manager, told WTOP that the organization needs to collect more than 500 pints of blood in the Washington region every day to keep pace with the demand for transfusions.
Another slow time of the year for blood donations is January. Red Cross representative Scott Baker says the group gives away Dunkin’ Donuts gift cards then, which is one of its most popular promotions.
To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor app, or visit www.redcrossblood.org/give/drive/driveSearch.jsp, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
You can also donate blood through the Inova Blood Donor Services. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Greta started as an editorial fellow in January 2016 and joined as a full-time staff member that August. She now works as a web producer and writer. She was previously an intern at Slate and National Geographic and graduated from the University of Missouri’s Journalism School. She lives in Adams Morgan.
