Donors Can Trade A Pint Of Blood For A Pint Of Something Delightful

NEW YORK — If a pint of ice cream or a frosty pint of beer sounds good right about now, then have we found a deal for you.

New York Blood Center (NYBC) has kicked off its fourth annual "Pint for a Pint" campaign to encourage blood donations during the critical summer months.

Starting July 27 at mobile blood drives and August 1 at donor centers, through August 31, all who come to donate will receive a voucher for a free beverage or frozen treat at a participating local brewery, pub, or frozen treat shop.

Since its launch in 2022, the "Pint for a Pint" campaign has doubled in size, with more than 50 breweries, pubs, and frozen treat shops across the region coming together to support the critical summertime need for blood donations.

"At Newburgh Brewing Company, we take enormous pride in being supportive of our community," Newburgh Brewing Company's Paul Halayko said. "By working with the NYBC through Pint for a Pint, we are thanking folks for doing something selfless and important: donating blood. It's a way we can ask our community to be supportive of such an important cause… and then reward them with a delicious pint of Newburgh beer."

Following a sharp drop in donations over the Fourth of July holiday, the region's supply of O- and O+ blood is currently at a critical 1-2 day level, and overall collections are nearly 25 percent below the level needed to meet hospital demands, NYBC officials said. Summer has brought an expected decline in donations, driven by vacations and school breaks, but combined with increased trauma cases, the impact on the local blood supply has been severe.

Type O-negative is the universal blood type used when seconds matter and a patient's blood type is unknown. Type O-positive, the most common type, is in constant demand for surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatments, and daily medical care, the organization noted.

"Every pint counts, especially in the summer, and we are so grateful to these local establishments for coming together to support the critical need for blood donations in the summertime," New York Blood Center's said Andrea Cefarelli said. "We hope this fun incentive will inspire returning and first-time donors to donate blood and enjoy a refreshing beverage or frozen treat on us. Blood donations are needed now more than ever."

This year's full list of participating establishments can be found here.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. In light of recent updates to FDA guidance, more people than ever may now be eligible to give. To make an appointment, donors can call 1-800-933-2566 or visit the NYBC website. Can't donate blood? You can still make a lifesaving impact by supporting NYBC's mission through financial contributions or volunteering your time. Click here to learn more.