Red Cross blood donors in Eastern New York will once again get a sweet treat for giving blood during the month of June, thanks to the generosity of Stewart's Shops. For a second year, Stewart's Shops has partnered with the American Red Cross for the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program. During the month of June, presenting blood donors in 20 upstate counties* will receive a voucher for a free pint of Stewart's Shops ice cream or gelato, redeemable at any Stewart's Shops location.

Thanks in large part to last year's “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program, blood donations in the area exceeded the monthly expectation for June 2016 by 30 percent. More than 6,030 units of blood were donated, with all presenting donors receiving vouchers for a free pint of Stewart’s Shops ice cream or gelato.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood this June, simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 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. 

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

*The Give a Pint, Get a Pint program will reward donors who give blood during the month of June in the following 20 counties: Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren, Washington. Vouchers for a free pint of ice cream or gelato are redeemable at any Stewart's Shops location.