One lucky blood donor from Otsego, Minnesota, has won his ultimate thank-you gift: a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The prize comes from a partnership between the American Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) to thank blood donors for stepping up to help patients in need during January, National Blood Donor Month. Check out details at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.
David Suggs, an electrician, and a regular donor gave blood at Alleluia Lutheran Church in St. Michael, Minnesota, on Jan. 15. He was automatically entered into the giveaway for a chance to win the grand prize. He received the call on Friday, February 2, from the Red Cross, informing him that he was the winner.
"I thought they were joking, but they knew where I donated. I called 1-800-RED CROSS to verify, and it was true. When I told my wife, I kept laughing I couldn't believe it was happening," said David Suggs.
David and his wife, Christine, will enjoy Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations, plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.
David said he’s cheering for 49ers, but more importantly, he is a fan of donating blood. He has donated 44 units (5.5 gallons) of blood so far and plans to continue giving. He said he has no personal connection to a blood recipient, but he feels good about helping others in need.
"I'm not a firefighter, I'm not a first responder, but donating blood is something I can do to help others," he said.
The Red Cross and the NFL have partnered for the past five years to encourage eligible individuals to give blood during January, which is National Blood Donor Month a challenging time for blood donations: winter weather and seasonal illnesses can affect donor turnout.
The Red Cross appreciates the support of the NFL and all blood donors who rolled up a sleeve to help patients in need. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.
BLOOD SHORTAGE Since announcing an emergency blood shortage in January, the American Red Cross blood supply remains at critically low levels. Despite generous donors signing up to give, dangerous winter weather across the U.S. led to nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations going uncollected last month. The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like recent weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.
To make an appointment to donate blood, platelets or plasma, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Donors can save time by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
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