You Can Get an Amazon Gift Card for Donating Blood to the Red Cross
Blood donation is an important way to support communities recovering from a disaster, as well as year-round support for people with blood disorders, injuries and chronic illnesses. And as a little extra incentive to make an appointment, if you donate blood through the Red Cross before October 31st, you’ll receive a $10 Amazon gift card in return. Here’s how to donate.
How to sign up to donate blood
To begin the process, go to redcrossblood.org and enter your zip code to find a donation site in your area and view available appointments. The Red Cross accepts whole blood donations (the most common type) and “red blood” donations, which pump out red blood cells, returning platelets and plasma to the donor. The latter has additional eligibility requirements , including having type O, A-negative, or B-negative blood. Donations take anywhere from an hour to 90 minutes (or longer) depending on the type. You can also donate platelets or plasma if you qualify.
Once you select a location and time, you will need to create an account (or log in if you already have one) using information such as your name, date of birth, email address and postal address. index. You’ll be able to manage your appointments and view your donation history from your account page.
You can also call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.
How to prepare to donate blood
The Red Cross recommends resting, drinking water and eating well the day before donating, and drinking 16 ounces of water before your appointment. When checking in, you will need a photo ID and a list of your current medications, and you should wear loose clothing that allows easy access to your arm above the elbow. There are also recommendations for post-operative care, including avoiding strenuous activities.
Although the Red Cross is the primary provider of blood and blood donation events, you can find other blood donation sites through the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapeutics (AABB).