Red Cross offers Super Bowl incentive to attract donors during blood shortage

A 20-year low in donations has the non-profit calling on people in the Cape Fear to donate

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The American Red Cross says blood donations are at a 20-year low, and the organization is putting out a call to attract people to give blood.

James Jarvis, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Cape Fear Area Chapter visited Good Morning Carolina, where he told co-host Donna Gregory about the reasons behind the 40% drop in donations since the turn of the millennium.

“A lot of people gave blood in high school or college, but then they sort of drift away,” he explained.

“So I think a lot of people sort of feel like, somebody else will take care of it, someone else will donate,” he added, “but only 3% of the U.S. population who are eligible actually donate.”

Jarvis says the lack of blood is causing a cutback in elective surgeries, and the supply is not getting replenished quickly enough to meet current needs.

“We are actually distributing more blood to hospitals right now than we are bringing in,” he reported.

“In January alone, we actually have to collect 8,000 units above normal every week, just to meet hospital demands,” Jarvis explained.

Since January is National Blood Donor Month, the American Red Cross is partnering with the NFL to offer a super-sized incentive to attract donations.

“Donors who give from January 1st through January 31st [will get a chance] to go to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas,” Jarvis revealed.

The prize would include the donor and a guest.

“We’ve got airfare, hotel accommodations a thousand dollars to cover your expenses while you’re there, plus 2 tickets to the big game,” he listed.

“It is an incentive,” he allowed, “but at the end of the day, what more impactful thing could you do with one hour of your time, than save up to 3 lives?” he asked.

WWAY is hosting a blood drive Friday, Jan. 12 at its studios, located at 1224 Magnolia Village Way in Leland from 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

To get the maximum from your donation experience, Jarvis offers these tips:

• hydrate the day before you donate
• make sure iron levels are high (eat beef, spinach or other high-iron foods)
• come with a great attitude

To set up an appointment, visit here .