A popular Upstate New York treat for blood donors is coming back this June. For a fourth year, Stewart’s Shops is treating American Red Cross blood donors to free pints of ice cream. The “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program offers donors at blood drives in 20 counties* from June 1-30 a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shop’s ice cream or gelato that can be redeemed at any Stewart’s Shops location.
Since the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program began in June 2016, more than 21,000 blood donations have been collected in participating counties.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Stewart’s Shops again this June to kick off summer with the ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint’ promotion,” said Sonja Ronovech, district recruitment manager of the Red Cross New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “Our blood donors and sponsors truly appreciate receiving a pint of ice cream or gelato as a thank you for their gift of life! We are grateful that Stewart’s Shops continues its generous support of the Red Cross.”
The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood donations every day to help patients facing serious health conditions and illnesses, including trauma, cancer, and blood disorders. In the New York-Penn Region, approximately 750 units are collected daily to serve patients in 90 hospitals throughout New York and 10 counties in Pennsylvania.
Gary Dake, Stewart’s Shops President and long-term blood donor said, “We encourage everyone to give blood if they can and we are proud to offer a sweet incentive for all donors in the month of June; so give a pint, and get a pint of Stewart’s delicious ice cream or gelato!”
Throughout the campaign, a video featuring Gary Dake and Stewart’s Shops District Manager Bill Majewski will be seen by thousands of Stewart’s Shops visitors. Bill was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016. He received several blood and platelet transfusions while undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. The transfusions helped Bill stay strong throughout his treatment plan. Today, he is in remission, working full-time again at Stewart’s Shops, and enjoying time with his family. He is grateful for all the blood donors who helped him stay strong during his medical treatments. To help others who will need blood transfusions and in appreciation for the donors that helped her husband, Bill’s wife, Hilary, has committed to donating as much blood as she can.
*Stewart’s Shops “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” vouchers will be offered to blood donors presenting at blood drives in the following counties from June 1-30:
Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Oneida, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Ulster, Warren, Washington
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
