Rhode Island Blood Center and Dunkin' Donuts Kick-Off National Blood Donor Month with "Give a Pint, Get a Pound"
Providence, RI - January 5, 2012 - For Allison Lindgren, appreciation for blood donors comes easily. At 25 she's a vibrant, active young woman, working at the local public television station, and grateful for blood donors and an organ donor that made life possible for her 14 years ago, when she received a heart transplant.
Allison joined Rhode Island Blood Center and Dunkin' Donuts officials in the kick-off of National Blood Donor Month. January was selected for this national event because of the increased challenges of collecting blood during the cold winter months.
Dunkin' Donuts has once again teamed up with the Rhode Island Blood Center. All individuals who present to donate blood at a donor center or blood drive during January will receive a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee as a thank you for supporting the community blood supply by rolling up their sleeves and giving the gift of life.
The official kick-off took place today at a press conference at the Dunkin' Donuts shop at 1582 Warwick Ave., Warwick, Rhode Island.
National Blood Donor Month was initiated in January 1970 as a way of assuring a safe and adequate blood supply at a time of year when blood collection is typically more difficult because of school vacations, holidays, inclement weather, and illness.
"Dunkin' Donuts is a valuable partner in the success of the Rhode Island Blood Center, and we are very pleased to partner with them once again," said Scott Asadorian, vice president and Chief Operating Officer of the Rhode Island Blood Center. Asadorian noted how it's not only about a partnership in January, but one that spreads throughout the year, and includes numerous blood drives at Dunkin' Donuts stores throughout the state.
For its ongoing support, the Blood Center presented Todd Wallace, Field Manager for Dunkin' Donuts, with a special recognition award.
"Dunkin' Donuts is honored to partner with the Rhode Island Blood Center for the 'Give a Pint, Get a Pound' promotion once again," Wallace said. "And I'm honored to accept the award on behalf of all the Dunkin' Donuts franchisees and our staff, who remain committed to assuring a safe and adequate blood supply throughout the region. "Giving blood is an easy way to give the gift of life, and we hope that receiving a pound of delicious Dunkin' Donuts coffee will help encourage our neighbors to reach out this January and donate blood." ding to the AABB, a national blood banking association, someone needs blood in this country every two seconds. Each day, patients across the country receive some 39,000 units of blood. There are more than 14 million blood transfusions annually, given to people who are accident victims, are undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.
In our community, patients in hospitals and treatment facilities require up to 280 pints of blood every day, according to the Rhode Island Blood Center.
The Rhode Island Blood Center has donor centers in Providence, Warwick, Narragansett, Woonsocket, and Middletown that hold several blood drives throughout the state and in nearby Massachusetts every day. To make an appointment at a donor center or blood drive call 1-800-283-8385, or log onto edonor on the Blood Center's web site at www.ribc.org. You can also find a blood drive in your neighborhood by visiting the Blood Center's web site or by calling the Blood Center at 1-800-283-8385.
*Coupons are redeemable at participating Dunkin' Donuts locations. Coupons are non-transferable and not redeemable for cash.