Donate blood, get beer RI Blood Center campaign offers free pint for a life-saving pint

The Rhode Island Blood Center faces a 25% shortfall in blood donations, especially for O-negative and O-positive types, which are critical for emergencies and routine medical procedures. To combat this issue, the center has initiated the “Pint for a Pint” campaign, where donors aged 21 and older receive a voucher for a free drink at local breweries for each pint donated. This year's campaign, in its fourth iteration, includes 13 local vendors and aims to replenish the blood supply, which has decreased to a concerning one- to two-day level. Nicole Pineault, who oversees blood operations, noted that summer typically sees fewer blood drives due to students being away from campuses and an uptick in trauma cases, increasing the need for blood. Donations are crucial not only for emergencies but also for procedures like childbirth and chemotherapy.

Donors must give blood by August 31 to receive the voucher, which cannot be used on the day of donation. Pineault emphasized that donating blood is the “ultimate gift,” potentially saving up to three lives in just an hour. The campaign highlights the importance of blood donations and encourages community participation.