BINGHAMTON – The American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts concluded the new “Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference” campaign on Feb. 15 with nearly 100,000 blood and platelet donors rolling up their sleeves to become “DD Donors.” Dunkin’ Donuts support of the campaign and its extension helped ensure that lifesaving blood is available to patients in need during a difficult time of the year to collect blood and platelets for the Red Cross.
The new campaign, launched on January 1 and originally scheduled to conclude on January 31, was extended to February 15 to allow more Red Cross blood and platelet donors to participate in the wake of severe winter weather across the Northeast.
The Red Cross supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood, and in a effort to incentivize blood and platelet donations, those who came out to donate at participating blood drives received a free $5 Dunkin’ Donor Card – good toward the purchase of any item at participating Dunkin’ Donuts.
The Dunkin’ Donor Card features a Red Cross logo, is re-loadable and can also be enrolled in the DD Perks Rewards program and used throughout the year and serve as a badge of honor for those who donate blood.
“Dunkin’ Donuts is proud of the nearly 100,000 individuals who became “DD Donors” through the new Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign,” said Tamara Tenenbaum, Field Marketing Manager for Dunkin’ Donuts. “Our franchises were happy to give back to their communities by sponsoring blood drives at participating Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants throughout the Northeast to give our guests an opportunity to donate blood and help those in need in our communities.”
The combined efforts of the Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts has yielded great success in the past eight years by supporting the collection of approximately 660,000 blood and platelet donations.
“The Red Cross is thrilled with the success of the new Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference campaign and we appreciate Dunkin’ Donuts’ continued support in helping to maintain a sufficient blood supply during the challenging winter months,” said Kay E. Schwartz, CEO, New York-Penn Blood Services Region in Binghamton. Schwartz continued in saying that donors are still needed, and noted that winter storms since the beginning of 2015 have caused the organization to cancel more than 30 blood drives throughout New York State.
“Those who are healthy and eligible to donate are urged to make an appointment now to ensure there continues to be enough blood on the shelves to meet hospital patient needs,” said Schwartz.
How to donate:
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.