Summer is a time when blood donations slow down. Yet the need for blood donations doesn’t take a summer vacation. That’s why for the eighth year in a row, Stewart’s Shops is treating Red Cross blood donors to free pints of ice cream as a part of the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program to help. For the month of June, donors at blood drives across Upstate New York will receive a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shop’s ice cream or gelato. Vouchers can be redeemed at any Stewart’s Shops location.
Every day, the Red Cross must collect enough blood to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease. Someone needs blood every two seconds.
To kick off the campaign, Stewart’s Shops will be dishing out free ice cream at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center at 33 Everett Road on Thursday June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to highlight the need for blood donors and to kick off the eighth annual “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” campaign. Walk in donors will be accepted or you can sign up to donate blood online here.
Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops and an avid blood donor, will be on hand to lead the charge for blood donors. He will be donating blood on the Red Cross’s new Next Generation Blood Mobile.
Gary Dake, president of Stewart’s Shops says, “If Stewart’s ice cream can encourage people to donate blood, we think that’s pretty sweet. We are proud to partner with the Red Cross for the past eight years to increase blood donations and raise awareness on the importance of donating. We hope that everyone that is able to donate will ‘Give a Pint and Get a Pint’ in June.”
Mascots Flavor the Cow and Buddy Blood Drop will be on hand for photo opportunities. Donors will also have the opportunity to donate inside or on the Next Generation Blood Mobile which will be traveling to neighborhoods throughout the Capital Region to collect blood and highlight the need for blood. Donors are encouraged to sign up to donate at redcrossblood.org or walks in are welcome.
The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation’s blood and blood components, all from generous volunteer donors. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor helps meet patient needs. The Red Cross is looking for donations from people of all backgrounds to meet collection needs.
“We are so grateful to partner with Stewart’s Shops again this year. Their commitment to highlighting the need for blood is extraordinary. When summer hits our blood donations typically slow down yet the need for blood is constant. “Give A Pint, Get A Pint” is a great way to remind people that their donation could save a life while getting thanked with the ultimate summer treat, ice cream,” said Kevin Coffey, Regional CEO, American Red Cross, Eastern New York Region.