Hoxworth offering gift card as thank you to new donors joining the ranks of lifesavers

HOXWORTH BLOOD CENTER/NEWS RELEASE: Cara Nicolas, Associate Director of Public Relations 

CINCINNATI, OH (July 9, 2020) – Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati is seeking eligible individuals to broaden its base of donors with an exclusive offer for those who are new to blood donation.

Through the end of July, new donors (who have never donated with Hoxworth before or who have not donated in the last three years) will receive a $10 e-gift card as a thank you for “joining the ranks of lifesavers.”

“Blood and platelets are critical for organ transplants, trauma surgeries, and treatment for cancer and sickle cell disease; it is a critical resource for which there is no substitute,” said Alecia Lipton, Director of Public Relations for Hoxworth Blood Center. 

“Blood can’t be created in a lab–it has to come from volunteer donors. As the only steward of the local blood supply, Hoxworth relies on the generosity and time of donors to help patients in area hospitals, and we’re hoping this promotion will help us grow our donor base and save even more lives.”

Donors who register at a Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Center or blood drive with a valid e-mail address with automatically receive a link within 48 hours of their donation to choose a specific vendor for their $10 e-gift card.

Blood usage has increased sharply in the last month as hospitals perform organ transplants and other surgeries that had been postponed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Lipton, Hoxworth needs at least 400 donors every day to maintain a stable inventory of blood and platelet products for over 30 area hospitals.

Blood donation continues to be a safe and sterile process, according to Hoxworth officials, and the blood center is taking the safety of donors very seriously during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Appointments are highly encouraged at this time in order to control the flow of donors and maintain social distancing protocol. Masks are required by donors at all Hoxworth locations and blood drives. To schedule a donation, call (513) 451-0910 or visit www.hoxworth.org.