ConnectLife begins gift card rewards program for O-negative donors
- cpfentner
- 21 hours ago
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sarah Diina, 400-7249(c), sdiina@ConnectLife.org
ConnectLife begins gift card rewards program for
O-negative donors
In the most serious emergencies, Western New York’s hospitals need O-negative blood on hand. But too often, their shelves are low on this crucial supply that can mean the difference between life and death when seconds count.
That’s why ConnectLife, Western New York’s only community blood bank, is sweetening the deal for O-negative donors who commit to repeat donations to keep that supply steady. Throughout 2026, for each donation they make beyond their first, O-negative donors will receive Tango e-gift cards through email to reward their lifesaving gift. Whole blood donors will get $15 cards, while double red donations will earn a $30 card.
“Out of some 1,300 O-negative donors we saw last year, more than half didn’t come back for a second donation” said Sarah Diina, Senior Director of Communications & External Affairs at ConnectLife. “Even getting just 20 percent of those donors to return would shore up so many of the O-negative shortages that we’re dealing with throughout the year and make sure hospitals are ready in the worst situations.”
The gift cards are redeemable through Tango at a wide range of stores and restaurants including Amazon, Target, Best Buy and Walmart. Donors who make the maximum six whole blood donations in a year, or three double red donations, will also get an exclusive shirt at the start of the following year.
All the blood donated to ConnectLife stays local, helping nearly every hospital in WNY’s eight counties maintain safe inventory levels. Donation appointments are available at centers in Williamsville, West Seneca, and Tonawanda, as well as mobile donation sites around the area each day. To schedule an appointment, visit ConnectLifeGiveBlood.org or call 716.529.4270.
Download this press release below.
###
ConnectLife helps people help others. As a federally designated not-for-profit organ procurement organization and community blood bank, we save and enhance lives through organ, eye, tissue and blood donations.