The American Red Cross issued its first-ever national blood crisis alert last January 11th, calling for all Americans to donate blood to help remedy the depleting blood supply across the United States. To encourage more blood donors, Krispy Kreme is giving away free doughnuts to everyone who donates blood or platelets this week.
People who donate blood beginning today, January 24th, through January 31st can receive a free Original Glazed dozen by visiting a participating Krispy Kreme store until the end of the month and showing either their donation sticker that they received after donating blood or confirmation of their blood donation on the Red Cross blood donor app.
Due to severe winter weather, the Red Cross is having difficulty rebuilding its blood supply. Because of winter storms, hundreds of blood drives have been canceled, causing blood shortage and forcing the Red Cross to limit certain blood product distributions to hospitals depending on current inventories. To prevent further delays in lifesaving medical care, it’s important that blood donors continue to come forward in the days and weeks ahead.
According to the Red Cross, all types of blood are needed, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations. People who are interested in donating blood or platelets can make an appointment via the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
“We’re grateful for all that the American Red Cross does for our country and we want to help them. Hopefully, a free Original Glazed dozen will increase awareness and even mobilize those who can give blood. We want them to enjoy the doughnuts with our thanks but also share the doughnuts while encouraging others to roll up their sleeves. We’re also encouraging all of our employees who can donate to do so,” Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme Chief Marketing Officer, said in a statement.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has also had a huge negative impact on blood donation drives, as there has been an apparent decline in the number of people donating blood, especially since the proliferation of the Omicron variant started.
“The Red Cross is grateful to Krispy Kreme for helping us thank our generous blood donors who are stepping up to help restock hospital shelves for patients in need during this historic crisis,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of Donor Services for the American Red Cross, in a statement. “Our Red Cross teams are working around the clock to meet the needs of hospital patients but can’t do it alone. We hope this thank you from Krispy Kreme will help provide a ‘dozen more reasons’ for eligible individuals to make and keep their donation appointments in the days ahead.”