Blood donors eligible for gift card drawings

The Intermountain Rural Electric Association has announced a blood drive in connection with Vitalant (formerly Bonfils Blood Center) aimed at assisting local area restaurants in need while helping meet a critical patient need in our community. Through the month of June, donors who give blood at Vitalant’s Parker donation center will automatically become eligible to win one of thirty $100 gift cards IREA has purchased from Parker-area restaurants.

Winners will be randomly drawn in July and notified through a mailed letter accompanied by their gift card.

“IREA is always looking for ways we can help the communities we serve, especially in times like these,” said IREA Community Affairs Manager Becky Wilson. “We wanted to encourage people to donate blood, which is needed now more than ever, but also wanted to do something to help some of our local restaurants that may be struggling. We view this blood drive as a win-win.”

Though IREA has worked with Vitalant for years in hosting blood drives to which IREA employees have donated, this is the first time the two organizations have worked together to engage in a community blood drive.

“There is a critical need for blood right now,” said Vitalant Senior Director of Donor Recruitment Charlie Propernick. “We count on dedicated donors and blood drive partners like IREA to help patients whose lives depend on blood transfusions.”

Recent blood drive cancellations due to COVID-19 related closures, coupled with a resumption of surgeries and other medical procedures, has caused a 25% increase in the need for blood during the past several weeks.

IREA and Vitalant employees and their immediate families are not eligible for the gift card drawings.

All blood types are needed right now. In addition, platelets are always needed by patients for cancer treatments, surgeries and emergencies.

Donors are strongly encouraged to give blood as soon as possible by calling (303) 363-2300 or visiting vitalant.org. At this time, all donors and staff are required to wear a face covering. Appointments are preferred, walk-ins permitted.

Visit Vitalant’s Parker donation center at 10259 S. Parker Road, Suite 104.