Last month the American Red Cross reported they'd collected 50,000 fewer blood donations in the previous two months.
Summer months typically see lower than usual blood donations according to Wendy Capetz with Memorial Blood Centers who says remote learning and fewer people in the office during the pandemic had a big impact on blood supplies.
"So we ask that you seek out a community blood drive with us, or that you come to one of our donor centers, because we want to make sure that the patients have what they need when they need treatments that include blood products," explains Capetz.
In an effort to get more blood donations this month, Memorial Blood Centers is hosting its Pint for a Pint campaign where blood donors can receive a voucher for a free or discounted beverage from one of eight Minnesota breweries.
Capetz says summer is typically difficult to bring-in blood donors and donations are typically lower in August.
"Because people are enjoying the summer, school is out of session, and people are taking vacations," Captetz tells WCCO. " And especially happens in August when everyone is like, 'oh my gosh, it's August first, I have to plan a vacation before school starts or before the kids go back to school.'"
The need for blood has been present since the start of the pandemic when donations dropped off. Capetz is encouraging people to take the time to give.
"People think somebody else will donate but we need those somebody else's to come in every day," Capetz says. "All blood types are needed every day. We wouldn't want one of our loved ones or family members or neighbors to be in a situation where they can't get the blood product that they needed."
When you present to donate August 1 – September 10, 2023 you will receive a voucher to redeem either a free or discounted beverage from a participating brewery or pub.
The participating breweries include:
Bent Paddle Brewing
Castle Danger Brewery
East Lake Craft Brewing
Headflyer Brewing
Klochow Brewing
Protagonist Kitchetn & Bar
Rapids Brewing Company
Surly Brewing