The statistic is startling: One in 83 moms needs a blood transfusion after giving birth. During the month of May, our goal was to draw awareness to this important fact while celebrating all the wonderful mothers in our lives. We also wanted to celebrate our blood donors by offering more chances to win during the month of May.
For the first time in Vitalant history, we selected 83 winners for one of our national giveaways. The 66,859 donors who gave blood, platelets or plasma from April 21-May 23, 2024, were automatically entered into a drawing for the chance to win one of 83 $83 gift cards through the Donor Rewards program. Donors were able to redeem their points for a gift card to one or more popular retailers.
There was a fun surprise waiting for these donors when they found out they won. Instead of winning $83 as advertised, Vitalant boosted the amount to $100 to show each donor our appreciation. The best part of selecting 83 winners? There are donors recognized from every region where Vitalant has donation locations.
Rodney R., a Mississippi donor with 113 lifetime donations, said, “I truly felt honored that I won the Vitalant gift card. It has always made me happy when I could help someone in need. That was my mindset when I first donated blood, and I continue to give now because as long as I’m healthy, it makes perfect sense to do something for cancer patients who could use my platelets.”
For Rodney, Vitalant employees are unsung heroes. “Their jobs make a difference in so many lives. I am thankful for them and what they do each day.”
Rodney said he would encourage someone to give blood by first asking them if there is a reason they can’t. “If they don't have a reason, then I tell them they just ran out of excuses!”
Esther L., an Illinois donor, has 89 donations over the past 20 years. She felt motivated to donate for the first time knowing she could save multiple lives with one donation. “I really appreciated the fact that you also get rewarded for doing it, like winning this $100 gift card! Please consider donating to continue to save lives.”
Greg P., a Nevada donor, described his reaction to winning: “While I was pleasantly surprised and very grateful, my involvement with Vitalant in donating blood has never been about what’s in it for me. In fact, I used this gift card to purchase a coffee gift card for my daughter, who in my mind is a real hero as an officer with the San Diego Police Department.”
Greg, who has 13 lifetime donations, has been interested in giving back from an early age. At the beginning of fifth grade, he volunteered to be on the Safety Patrol, and he’s been volunteering in his community ever since.
“It’s about sharing a little time or effort to help others,” he said. “I’d tell someone who has never given blood before—would you take 30 minutes of your time to help save a family member?”
To see the full list of donors in random order, check out the list below—and if you know someone in your area who won, be sure to congratulate them!
• Mary N., Colorado
• Juanita C., Arizona
• Brenda C., Colorado
• Mitchell R., California
• Nancy L., California
• Katherine C., Illinois
• David D., Colorado
• Jeffrey R., Illinois
• William S., California
• Rudy G., New Mexico
• Brian B., Washington
• Jason W., Arizona
• Joshua H., Arizona
• Jane B., Illinois
• Benjamin S., Pennsylvania
• Roderick N., Louisiana
• Sandra L., Nevada
• Esther L., Illinois
• William C., Colorado
• Leo U., New Mexico
• Evette T., California
• Phoenix B., California
• Daniel B., Ohio
• Belinda B., California
• Garrett F., Colorado
• Patrick R., New Mexico
• Clay O., Arizona
• Michelle G., Illinois
• Susan H., California
• Kevin C., Arizona
• Brent H., Nevada
• Peggy H., California
• Barry R., Ohio
• Aaron P., North Dakota
• Sheryl G., Nevada
• Jaqulyne P., New Mexico
• Erica M., Arizona
• Kimberly R., California
• Sarah S., New Mexico
• Bonnie S., Idaho
• Maureen B., Pennsylvania
• Loren S., California
• Deborah A., Washington
• Ryan B., California
• Pablo L., Arizona
• Melissa W., California
• Rodney R., Mississippi
• Carolyn S., New Mexico
• Albert J., Colorado
• Milagros B., New Jersey
• Craig B., California
• April B., Colorado
• Dennis F., Colorado
• Angelina W., Nevada
• Thomas W., California
• Karl G., Colorado
• Lawrence F., Illinois
• Timothy K., Colorado
• Karyl M., California
• Jonathan M., Nevada
• Nancy H., Colorado
• Brian J., Pennsylvania
• James B., Mississippi
• Linda D., Colorado
• Madhusudhana M., Illinois
• Jeffrey F., Colorado
• George E., Texas
• Trudi B., Wyoming
• Sienna H., Nevada
• Caroline P., Nevada
• Andrew H., California
• Nicole J., North Dakota
• Josephine A., Ohio
• Walter W., Arizona
• Scot H., Nevada
• Roger P., Arizona
• Anne G., Colorado
• Yancey C., Texas
• Kristina H., Washington
• Robert S., Washington
• Gregory P., Nevada
• Florence O., New Mexico
• Justin S., Colorado