Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- The Salt Lake Red Cross urges Utahns to donate blood due to a 5,000-donation deficit caused by Midwest and mid-Atlantic winter storms.
- Only 3% of eligible donors currently give blood, prompting calls for increased participation.
- To incentivize donations, the NFL offers a Super Bowl LIX package to a lucky donor.
MURRAY — The Salt Lake branch of the Red Cross needs your help to help them save lives.
The American Red Cross has reported that the winter storms in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic earlier in the week have caused 250 blood drives to be canceled, leaving a deficit of 5,000 blood donations. Each day, close to 12,000 blood donations are collected for the entire nation, so an unexpected loss of 5,000 units of blood is a problem.
Salt Lake Red Cross Executive Director Jeremiah Lafranca provides another set of numbers: 63% of people are eligible to donate blood, but only 3% do.
As such, folks in states that aren't now affected by snowstorms are being called upon to donate blood to assist those who need it.
"It's a great thing to do. It's a very unselfish thing to do, and you get fulfilled because you know you're doing something for other people when they need help the most," said Jason Hagen, a phlebotomist for the Salt Lake Red Cross located in Murray.
"Since we haven't been hurt by the storms like the people in the Midwest (and mid-Atlantic), people in Utah can realize how much other people are struggling and do something to help them," Hagen added.
Traditionally, the winter and summer months see the lowest blood donations across the country and at Red Cross locations across Utah, Red Cross staff shared. Vacations, college and university breaks, and inclement weather cause folks to stay home rather than donate, they said.
But thanks to a longtime partnership, someone may get a short vacation trip of their own just for donating this month.
The NFL and the American Red Cross have long worked together, encouraging players, coaches and staff to donate blood when they can. This month, to thank a lucky blood donor for giving to the Red Cross and to help ease someone else's health struggles, the NFL is providing a Super Bowl LIX package that includes two tickets to the game on Feb. 9 in New Orleans, paid round-trip tickets, a fully paid hotel for three nights and $1,000 gift card to use in the Big Easy or elsewhere.
How to win Super Bowl tickets
Everyone who donates blood to any American Red Cross will have their name automatically put in the "hopper" to win the NFL Super Bowl LIX package.
The last day to donate is Jan. 26.
To find a location near you to donate blood, visit redcross.org.
This year's giveaway was announced by the league and the Red Cross two days ago, and already some people are ready to see the big game in person.
"I've already had a couple of people come in, sit down and start running their hands together before I insert the needle, saying, 'Oh boy, I can't wait to get these Super Bowl tickets,'" Hagen said. "It's an incentive that's working."
Staff at the Salt Lake Red Cross note that they know there are some wonderful people out there who would love to donate, but Super Bowl tickets are not enough to get them in due to their fear of needles.
The local Red Cross phlebotomists say the biggest hurdle they deal with is people being afraid of needles. As such, they are accustomed to making those folks comfortable, chatting with them about their life, distracting them with things on their phones and just turning them away from the sight of the needle.
Luckily, the staff has a leader who understands all too well how those clients feel.
"I'm afraid of needles, too. ... I just have to look away from where the needle is when I donate," said Lafranca. "You can make an impact on people. As someone who hates needles, I can tell you (the phlebotomists) make it as easy as they can."
