Local non-profit blood center Blood Assurance is celebrating blood donors all month long during their Jam-Packed July event. They are giving away a different gift almost every day to thank current donors and to hopefully draw in those interested in giving blood for the first time.
“Summer is always a difficult time for us with kids being out of school, people being out of town, and increased usage due to travel and outdoor activities,” said Dr. Liz Culler, chief medical officer at Blood Assurance. “We hope our donors will enjoy these great gifts and that some who have been on the fence about giving may be encouraged to give the gift of life.”
Gifts in the event include a bandana for pets, handheld misting fan, cooler tote bag and $10 gift cards to Starbucks, Chipotle and Papa John’s. In addition, Blood Assurance is giving away one Yeti cooler each week in July and giving away three MacBook Pros to high school students who donate July 19-25. Donors can view what day each gift is available and schedule by visiting bloodassurance.org/july2021.
Blood Assurance has been in critical and urgent need of blood donors for months and has still not seen the same number of donors they were before the pandemic began. Patients in local hospitals count on blood donors every day for a host of issues including cancer, trauma, childbirth and more.
Blood Assurance is the sole supplier of blood products to the Chattanooga area. All blood received by patients at hospitals in the Chattanooga area is given by Blood Assurance donors. Blood cannot be manufactured and all blood used in hospitals is given by volunteer donors.
In addition to scheduling at bloodassurance.org/july2021, donors can also make an appointment to give blood by calling 800-962-0628 or by texting BAGIVE to 999777.
Blood cannot be manufactured and Blood Assurance counts on volunteer donors daily to save lives. One blood donation can save three lives in area hospitals.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.