Blood donors could win $500 gift card

CUMBERLAND — Blood donors on Black Friday or the following Monday could end up one of two lucky winners of a $500 gift card courtesy of the 100-county Greater Alleghenies Region, American Red Cross Blood Services.

Presenting blood and platelet donors at all Greater Alleghenies Region blood drives and donor centers Friday and Monday will automatically be entered in the respective day’s drawing for one $500 gift card.

Lisa Hart, senior director, donor recruitment, Greater Alleghenies Region, said that while all blood donors are important to patients in need, those who take a break from holiday shopping and activities to donate blood the day after Thanksgiving are vital to helping to ensure an uninterrupted blood supply.

Anyone who donates blood or platelets in the Greater Alleghenies Region through Jan. 10 is automatically entered into a drawing for a 2010 NFL Championship Game package for two, including game tickets, airfare and accommodations.

One winner will be drawn from among registered donors in the local blood region during this time period; drawing participants must also be at least 18 years old in compliance with state regulations. For more information, log on to www.redcrosslife.org.

Donors of all blood types are needed; however, in recent days supplies of Type O negative blood have hovered at or below the two-day supply levels.

Blood drives eligible for entry into the $500 gift card drawing are:

• Friday, noon to 6 p.m., First Church of the Nazarene, 508 E. Oldtown Road.

• Monday, 1 to 6 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 209 N. Main St., Accident; noon to 6 p.m., Church of the Brethren, Donahoe Manor Road, Bedford, Pa.; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., American Red Cross Blood Donor Center, 400 Cumberland St.

To schedule a blood donation appointment where available, call (800) 448-3543.