Chiefs team up with Dunkin' Donuts in support of American Red Cross
Dunkin' Donuts; the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation; American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region; the Syracuse Chiefs; and Syracuse Crunch collaborated to launch the "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" initiative Friday at the Red Cross' headquarters on South Warren Street in Syracuse.
Chiefs General Manager John Simone joined Dunkin' Donuts franchisees Tom Santurri and Roy Clark, along with Central New York residents, in donating blood to announce this year's program which returns following a record-setting inaugural year. Friday's blood drive also featured "Scooch" and "Al", the mascots for the Chiefs baseball team and Crunch hockey team.
Dunkin' Donuts is joining the American Red Cross in thanking blood donors for giving of themselves to help others in need by giving away a pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee to all presenting donors this January.
Patients in area hospitals need blood every day and one donation of blood may help save three lives. Winter is a time when blood donations are impacted due to the cold weather, snow and ice. The "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign achieved great success last year and the American Red Cross exceeded blood collection goals.
"We appreciate the support of Dunkin' Donuts. Through this campaign we are able to meet the needs of area patients and also thank blood donors who so generously give the gift of life," said Brandon Gordon, American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region. "We are also grateful to Dunkin' Donuts for hosting blood drives and creating awareness about the need for blood in support of National Blood Donor Month."
"Dunkin' Donuts is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and provide our coffee as a gift to those who give blood," said Eric Stensland, Field Marketing Manager, Upstate for Dunkin' Donuts. "The objective of the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation is to serve those who serve others. We hope all eligible blood donors will give blood to help those in need."
This is the second year that Dunkin' Donuts and the American Red Cross Blood Services, New York-Penn Region are partnering to help increase the blood supply and awareness about the need for blood. The "Give a Pint, Get a Pound" campaign encompasses seven states during the month of January, National Blood Donor Month.
Only five percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do so. Blood must be available whenever and wherever it is needed for patients. Blood is used for surgical procedures, organ transplants, trauma and chemotherapy. For some patients, such as the victim of an automobile accident, the need for blood is sudden. For others, ongoing transfusions are needed to help sustain lifesaving medical treatment.
To donate blood and platelets through the American Red Cross, individuals must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. For additional information regarding donor eligibility, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit http://www.donatebloodnow.org.
About The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation
The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including the Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisees, crew members and employees, to support the service and leadership of emergency response organizations - especially in times of crisis. The Foundation supports emergency responders by providing financial assistance, building capacity, developing partnerships, encouraging volunteerism and honoring local heroes. To learn more about the Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation.