Lindsborg blood drive offers incentives to donors

LINDSBORG, Kan. — The American Red Cross will host a blood drive July 28 in Lindsborg, offering donors movie tickets and special incentives for Type O blood donors as the organization works to maintain adequate blood supplies during the summer months.
All donors who give blood this month will receive a Fandango Movie Reward via email. Type O donors who donate by July 31 will receive an additional $20 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.
Appointments are available from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. July 28. Donors can schedule appointments at redcrossblood.org by searching for Lindsborg.
The incentives come as blood banks face ongoing challenges meeting demand. According to Red Cross data, someone in the United States needs blood or platelets every two seconds, with approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells needed daily nationwide.
Type O blood is particularly sought after by hospitals, as it's the most frequently requested blood type. Type O negative donors are especially valuable because their blood can be given to patients of all blood types, but only 7% of the U.S. population has Type O negative blood.
Despite the constant need, only about 3% of age-eligible Americans donate blood annually. The Red Cross provides about 40% of the nation's blood supply, all from volunteer donors.
Summer months typically see decreased donations as regular donors travel or change their routines, making drives like the upcoming Lindsborg event crucial for maintaining adequate supplies.
Blood donations have strict shelf lives, with red blood cells lasting 42 days and platelets just five days, requiring constant replenishment of supplies.