We are pleased to announce the two blood donors who each won a $10,000 gift card in our November “Shopping Spree” Giveaway. The giveaway ran Nov. 1-30 and gave donors a chance to win big, just in time for the holiday season.
Thousands of donors gave blood, and a random selection process was used to crown the two winners: Bobbi G. and Craig L. They were each emailed electronic gift cards to redeem at a variety of online stores, including major retailers, restaurants, airlines and specialty shops.
Our first winner, Bobbi, has long understood how important her blood type is for patients in need. That’s why the California donor has given 112 lifetime donations with Vitalant, including whole blood and platelet/plasma donations. Her winning donation took place Nov. 3 at a local donation center.
“My first thought was disbelief,” shares Bobbi. “After I realized it was real, I thought, what an absolute blessing!” 
Bobbi was just a teenager when she first donated. “I’m embarrassed to say I only did it to get out of class. What I didn’t know was that moment would be a catalyst to being a lifelong donor.”
She says it’s a small sacrifice to potentially save someone’s life. “I’ve always wanted to make a mark on this world, and I believe that my small donation is just a ripple in a pond. It allows others to continue their lives, hopefully making more ripples, and soon there will be whitecaps everywhere.”
Bobbi praises the staff at her local donation center for being friendly, knowledgeable and helpful in making the donations easy and pain-free. “Every time I walk in, I feel like I am with friends.”
Craig L. is our second lucky winner. He started off as a whole blood donor and then ventured into giving Power Red, plasma and platelet donations, with a total of 116 lifetime donations with Vitalant. Craig gave his winning platelet/red cell donation on Nov. 26 at a local donation center.
Craig was skeptical when initially contacted about the prize. “Honestly, I thought it was a scam!” When he learned that he had indeed won, he was pleasantly surprised.
“I am proud to be from Pittsburgh and to be a blood donor who saves lives,” he says. “I used to donate double red because of my blood type, and I was told there is always a need. I recently started giving platelets and plasma because I heard it helps cancer patients, and I lost my mom to cancer.”
We want to say thank you to all the November donors like Bobbi and Craig who generously gave their time and energy to help others. We know lives were saved because of them.