Dunkin' Donuts Drive Success for Red Cross
DEDHAM - Results of a new partnership between the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts have far exceeded expectations, goals and projections, say Red Cross officials.The January launch of "A Pound For a Pint" - a campaign offering a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee to all presenting blood donors at American Red Cross blood drives - is a huge success, they say.
More than 45,000 pounds of coffee have been given away to presenting donors who came to donate blood and walked away with a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin' Donuts coffee and the knowledge that by donating blood they may have helped save three lives.
Thanks to the generosity of Dunkin' Donuts, the Northeast Division is at 111 percent of goal for the first two weeks of January with more than 4,300 additional units of blood over the same period last year. Calls to 1-800-GIVE-LIFE have gone up 65 percent and outbound calls from the American Red Cross have resulted in a 23 percent increase in appointments.
"This could not have come at a more important time," said Donna M. Morrissey, director of corporate affairs and public relations for the Northeast Division of American Red Cross Blood Services. "Patients in area hospitals need blood every day. Blood must be available when it is needed even during the winter, a time when blood donations are often impacted due to the cold weather, snow and ice.
"Dunkin' Donuts coffee proved to be an added bonus encouraging donors to brave the cold weather. Even with strong collections in January, key blood types remain in short supply, a testament to how important it is for those eligible to make an appointment to donate blood."
"Dunkin' Donuts is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and provide our coffee as a gift to those who give," said John Fassak, vice president of business development for Dunkin' Donuts.
"A Pound For A Pint" was launched at multiple locations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and has received favorable media attention throughout the Northeast. Although the program proved successful in Rhode Island, where the campaign has been running for 11 years with the Rhode Island Blood Center, no measure of success existed for widely expanding the campaign throughout New England and parts of New York.
The American Red Cross Blood Services across the Northeast Division must distribute approximately 3,000 units of blood each day just to meet the basic needs of area patients. Only 5 percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do so. 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. The state of Maine allows those who are 16 years of age to donate blood with parental consent. For additional information regarding donor eligibility, call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.newenglandblood.org.
A schedule of blood drives in Western Mass. can be found at iBerkshires.
The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including 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.
