Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has teamed up with the American Red Cross on a blood drive initiative aimed at addressing winter shortages in the region.
As part of the NFL partnership, all eligible donors who visit clinics tied to the Red Cross will be entered into a contest to win tickets to Super Bowl LX. The winner will also receive a $1,000 gift card for expenses surrounding the game.
Barkley is using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, particularly during the winter months when demand typically surges due to increased hospitalizations and surgeries. He expressed his personal experience with giving blood once in college, saying it was a "beautiful thing" that can bring significant help in a short amount of time.
The American Red Cross has seen declining donations over the past two decades, with a 40% drop nationally since then. The organization is currently on the cusp of a shortage in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where blood supply to about three dozen hospitals in the region is dwindling.
For the last seven years, the Red Cross has collaborated with the NFL to promote blood donation during the playoffs. The initiative has motivated thousands of first-time donors and aims to inspire people to become regular donors.
To participate, individuals must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 116 pounds, and be in good health. Donors can find the nearest drive by visiting the Red Cross website and entering their ZIP codes. The organization also offers a Blood Donor App that notifies donors when and where their blood has been used.
The start of the new year presents challenges for collecting blood, but it's also an opportunity to build lifesaving habits. Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross, said in a statement that the annual drives in January inspire people to become regular donors.
As part of the NFL partnership, all eligible donors who visit clinics tied to the Red Cross will be entered into a contest to win tickets to Super Bowl LX. The winner will also receive a $1,000 gift card for expenses surrounding the game.
Barkley is using his platform to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation, particularly during the winter months when demand typically surges due to increased hospitalizations and surgeries. He expressed his personal experience with giving blood once in college, saying it was a "beautiful thing" that can bring significant help in a short amount of time.
The American Red Cross has seen declining donations over the past two decades, with a 40% drop nationally since then. The organization is currently on the cusp of a shortage in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where blood supply to about three dozen hospitals in the region is dwindling.
For the last seven years, the Red Cross has collaborated with the NFL to promote blood donation during the playoffs. The initiative has motivated thousands of first-time donors and aims to inspire people to become regular donors.
To participate, individuals must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 116 pounds, and be in good health. Donors can find the nearest drive by visiting the Red Cross website and entering their ZIP codes. The organization also offers a Blood Donor App that notifies donors when and where their blood has been used.
The start of the new year presents challenges for collecting blood, but it's also an opportunity to build lifesaving habits. Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross, said in a statement that the annual drives in January inspire people to become regular donors.
It's crazy how fast things change, one minute it's summer and everyone's out donating blood, next thing you know it's winter and hospitals are struggling to get the blood they need. Saquon Barkley is doing his part by teaming up with the Red Cross, which is awesome 
, but I wish more people would take notice and make a difference.
. And now they're facing a shortage in Southeastern Pennsylvania which is like, where I'm from! It just goes to show how important blood donation is and how we need more people stepping up.
. We need more athletes and influencers speaking out on social issues like this. And the fact that the Red Cross is offering a prize for those who donate blood? That's a great incentive! 
The partnership between Saquon Barkley and the American Red Cross is a shining example of how NFL players can harness their platform to make a tangible impact on their community. By organizing a blood drive initiative, Barkley is not only raising awareness about the importance of blood donation but also encouraging his fans to take action 
. As we welcome the new year, it's heartening to see an organization like the Red Cross leveraging its resources with football legends to collect much-needed blood donations 
. The fact that this initiative aims to inspire people to become regular donors is a testament to the power of community engagement 
.
! I'm loving how he's using his NFL platform to raise awareness about blood donation, especially during winter months when hospitals are flooded with patients 
. It's so cool that he's got a personal connection to giving blood from back in college - it's all about making a difference, you know? 
! The contest for Super Bowl tickets and $1k gift card is a great way to get people hyped about donating blood 
. And can we talk about how the Red Cross has seen declining donations over the past two decades? Like, what's going on?! 
We need more people getting into this habit ASAP!
- it sounds like a lifesaver (literally!). And if you're 16+, weigh enough, and are in good health, you should totes get donating too! 
Let's make those blood donations happen and build some new habits 
? and honestly, it's about time we prioritize blood donation... like, the american red cross has been seeing declining donations for ages 
. i'm all for incentivizing people to become regular donors, especially during the playoffs 
but seriously, it's amazing that saquon is using his fame to spread awareness about this important issue... let's get those blood donations rolling 
!
! And let's be real, the prize is pretty sweet too 
. I'm gonna have to check out these drive locations ASAP... who knows, maybe I'll become a regular donor 
. But, like, do we really need a competition to encourage people to give blood? Can't we just make it a regular habit or something? I'm not saying it's a bad idea to win some prizes, but let's focus on the actual good of giving blood, you know?
. but i love that the nfl is partnering with the red cross to get people involved. plus, who wouldn't want to win super bowl tickets and a $1000 gift card