Red Cross, PSU team up for ‘Bleed Blue’ drive
Organization partners with thers to end donation shortage
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BURNHAM -- The American Red Cross held a blood drive Monday at the Burnham Lions Club.
The Red Cross has been partnering with the Burnham Lions Club for more than 20 years to hold blood drives at the location. During Monday's blood drive, Red Cross Account Manager, Lydia Wallace, presented Lions Club building coordinator, Ned Kauffman with a certificate recognizing him as a Premier Partner.
Ned manages all drives held at the Burnham location and considers himself the "Red Cross Boss." In 2022 Ned's blood drives collected 94 units, and he hopes to surpass that number this year.
The Red Cross always seeks extra donors, especially during the current shortage or "critical need period" in blood donation.
The summer months are hard on the organization. "During the summer everyone is on vacation, and the kids are not in school." Wallace said, "This summer was probably the worst for us. In fact, August was so bad nationwide, that we were told we would have to collect 10,000 units per week for an extended period of time to make up for the loss of donations this summer."
Penn State and the American Red Cross have teamed up to beat the shortage and aim to collect at least 5,800 units of blood. This joint campaign includes more than 170 blood drives across Pennsylvania.
"The American Red Cross Bleed Blue campaign began in 2010 and has collected more than 77,500 units of blood. Penn State is the second largest collegiate blood program in the country - this year, let's be number one," a Red Cross press release read.
From July 1 to Nov. 10, anyone who donated blood was entered into a drawing to win tickets to a Penn State home football game. The winner of this package received two game tickets, two pre-game hospitality village passes, one parking pass, a sideline visit for two during the game, and a Beaver Stadium video board recognition during the game.
At Monday's blood drive, the winner of this prize was present to donate blood again. William Stidfole, Sr. was the lucky winner of the Penn State football package. He chose to take his grandson to the Michigan game on Nov. 11.
"This was my first ever game," Stidfole explained. "It was such a good experience; we had a great day despite the outcome of the game."
William Stidfole donates blood after winning the drawing for the Bleed Blue Blood Draw contest held by the American Red Cross. Stitfole won Penn State football tickets to the Michigan game on Nov. 11.
Sentinel photo by KELSEY WHALEN
William Stidfole donates blood after winning the drawing for the Bleed Blue Blood Draw contest held by the American Red Cross. Stitfole won Penn State football tickets to the Michigan game on Nov. 11.
He added, "They had an entire meal for us in the hospitality suite. My grandson got to take pictures with football players; it truly was once in a lifetime."
The Red Cross and Penn State have another awesome package to give away to donors from July 1 through Jan. 31. Everyone who donates will be entered for a chance to win a Penn State Hockey VIP pass. This package includes two tickets to a Penn State Hockey home game in February 2024, a parking pass, and an in-game PA recognition announcement.
Red Cross organizers are also partnering with Amazon Prime Video in honor of Amazon's new film "Candy Cane Lane." When individuals come to donate blood in December they will automatically be entered to receive one of 12 holiday prize packages. Those packages include a $1,000 Amazon.com gift card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV.
Those who donate between Dec. 1-17, 2023, will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email.
"Donating blood is truly a selfless act, and we need your help to ensure patients in need have access to lifesaving blood," Jorge Martinez, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, said. "When lives are saved, everybody wins."