News & Politics - Donate pint of blood, get a pint of beer!

JediBlastoise · 09-09-2004, 09:35 AM

Quote:

CLEVELAND, Ohio (AP) -- Some in Michigan who roll up their sleeves to donate blood will get a racetrack T-shirt, hat and pin. Sponsors in San Diego have given away whale-watching trips. On Wednesday, the Cleveland Regional Transit Authority handed out vouchers for a pint of any beverage, including beer, in exchange for a pint of blood.

The Cleveland promotion was the latest gift offered by businesses and organizations that sponsor drives to try to build up the blood banks, many of which are running desperately low, including in some parts of Ohio where there was less than a day's supply.

"Pint for a pint is a catchy message," said Karen Kelley, spokeswoman for the Red Cross in northeast Ohio. "I can see co-workers or neighbors getting together days following the drive to enjoy a celebratory drink for having helped others."

Kelley said the supply in northeast Ohio area including Cleveland was critically low. There was less than a half day's worth of type A negative, for example. Without new donations, area hospitals will be forced to rely on neighboring states for blood -- if those states can spare it.

Nationally, there was about 2 1/2 days' worth of blood on hand Wednesday. A healthy supply is five to seven days' worth, said Michelle Hudgins, spokeswoman for the Red Cross.

Hudgins said the vouchers handed out in Cleveland can be used for any beverage in the city's Warehouse District, a collection of trendy bars, night clubs and restaurants near downtown.

But beer or any other kind of alcohol is an option, as long as the donor is over the legal age of 21 and waits at least 24 hours after giving blood to drink alcohol. Giving blood leaves people dehydrated, so the alcohol could have an extra strong effect too soon after donating.

Frank Humr, a city firefighter who donated Wednesday afternoon, said he'd give his voucher away.

"I don't drink anymore," said Humr, 44. "Maybe I'll buy someone a beer. I donated blood, I'll donate my beer."

Kelley said the point was more about getting the attention of the 95 percent of eligible blood donors who don't give.

"The voucher is for a beverage of your choice. In my case that would probably be a mocha latte with shaved chocolate," Kelley said.

The transit authority also gave away free bus rides to the drive site in the Warehouse District to downtown workers who wanted to donate during the event, which ends Thursday.

"To get the blood supply up beyond emergency levels, we all need to do our part," said Joe Calabrese, the authority's general manager.

The idea to trade brew for blood has been used before -- local breweries in Colorado last fall gave away free beer during a drive for the United Blood Services of Durango. And businesses and other sponsors of blood drives for years have been giving away goodies such as pizza, pies or coupons for discounts on books.

The Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services and Michigan International Speedway are teaming up for a blood drive on Saturday. Donors get a Spirit of America 400 T-shirt, hat and pin. Kodak will give away disposable cameras and donors will be offered other gifts, including ice cream and track tours.

In February 2003, the San Diego Blood Bank had a drive in which participants got a voucher for a whale-watching trip courtesy of local sports fishing shops.

Hudgins, the Red Cross spokeswoman, said the group appreciates the push for donors but can't always promise incentives.

"We don't want them to donate just because there's something in it for them," she said. "The real gift is that they could be saving up to three lives."

a lot of people are gonna be feeling light-headed in cleveland!
"must.....give...more...blood......to....buy....beer.....!!!!"

pacifierrocks · 09-09-2004, 03:43 PM

i can just imagine everyone at my school going there just so they could get free beer.

mh67511 · 09-09-2004, 04:19 PM

I just hope people don't go drink after donating blood!

We are learning all about alchol in my healthy lifestyles class. Very interesting!

Charlize'sAngel · 09-09-2004, 04:56 PM

They're pretty desperate for blood donations...

Cail · 09-10-2004, 05:21 AM

It's pretty sad when alcohol is used as tactic to get people to be more charitable. What does that say about America?

Frozen_in_time · 09-10-2004, 04:46 PM

I really do think giving an incentive to donate blood is a good idea. Alot of people ignore the fact that there is a shortage of donors around the world and this needs to be sorted out. Just because the USA is trying to help this cause it doesn't mean that they are doing anything wrong. A pint of Alcohol in favour of a pint of blood will attract those who are not normally willing to participate in donating blood and it also grabs attention too a cause that is in need of help.

mh67511 · 09-10-2004, 05:23 PM

I once gave blood because you would get a coupon for a dozen Krispy Kremes!

Clash181 · 09-10-2004, 06:05 PM

I give blood all the time at school just so I can get out of class. It's a bonus that's I'm saving up to three lives everytime I skip English.


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