A Glen Rose man won a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans after making a lifesaving blood donation to the American Red Cross in January. Jacob Stephenson made the donation in Plano during National Blood Donor Month and was the lucky winner of a Super Bowl-packed weekend. 

"I'm speechless! There's no better feeling that comes with a donation, and the Red Cross is the best of the best," said Jacob after learning he won the trip giveaway. 

When asked why he takes the time to roll up his sleeve, Jacob shared, "Basically, we have a family friend who has two young girls with beta thalassemia major," said Jacob. "This rare blood disorder requires them to get blood every four weeks. Seeing them thrive with the donations they receive put a fire in me to give and I have been doing so for over ten years."

The lucky couple arrived in New Orleans on Friday morning, where as Texas Tech graduates, they were primed to cheer the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Jacob has been a critical care/flight medic, a ground medic working on ambulances, airplanes, helicopters and understands and appreciates the crucial role blood donations play in patient care. "It's my privilege to be allowed to care for people, and it's been my honor to give blood, knowing how directly and heavily it impacts outcomes."

The Stephenson's enjoyed Super Bowl LIX, including access to in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to The Big Easy, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7 10), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses. Full details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl. 

For the sixth year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) partnered in January for National Blood Donor Month to invite football fans and blood donors to join a lifesaving team and score big for patients in need. All who came to give Jan. 1-26, 2025, were entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.