Mississippi Blood Services enticing donors with a Grill giveaway

In the heat of summer, blood donations are more important than ever, Mississippi Blood Services says. That is why they are holding a grill giveaway to entice more donations. 

The Blood Center is an FDA-licensed blood-collecting organization founded in 1960 and is the largest provider of blood and blood components in Southern Mississippi and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

To maintain a steady supply of blood, Mississippi Blood Services needs to receive 200 units of blood donations daily, but current levels are much lower than the target, said Director of Public Relations and Marketing Kasey Dickson. 

“Because of the summer months our collection is definitely low,” Dickson said. “We are in need of all blood types to be perfectly honest.”

One reason blood donations drop during this time of year is due to high school students being out of class for the summer break. Dickson noted that a sizeable amount of donations are collected at local high schools.

To encourage donations, Mississippi Blood Services is holding a grill giveaway. Dickson said the organization has three Weber grills that will be given away to three blood donors. To enter, simply donate blood at any Mississippi Blood Services collection facility, including fixed and mobile locations. All donors who give blood until June 14 will be entered into the giveaway, with winners announced that day.