Donate blood for a chance to win a special dinner at Franklin BBQ

AUSTIN, Texas - We Are Blood is giving you a chance to win a special dinner at Franklin BBQ. 

We Are Blood, which provides blood to patients at more than 40 Central Texas hospitals and medical facilities, is holding a donor contest that will give 20 winners and their guests a special dinner at Austin’s acclaimed Franklin BBQ. Donors must make a donation between January 2 and 15 to be eligible. 

The donor contest is being done in honor of National Blood Donor Month. Since 1970, every January, National Blood Donor Month brings in the new year with the important message that donating blood saves lives and improves the health of many in our community and nationwide. 

Blood banks tend to see fewer donations during the winter holiday season, according to the blood bank. “We Are Blood provides blood to over 40 hospitals and clinics, including Dell, Seton and St. David’s medical centers,” says Canedo, “but we tend to see a 30% decrease in donations during the holiday weeks.” National Blood Donor Month helps raise awareness and resolve to get donors back in the doors.

Some helpful facts about donating blood:

• Type O negative blood is the universal donor, but only seven percent of the population carries this blood type, meaning it is frequently in high demand but short supply. 
• A tattoo does not immediately negate your eligibility. If you get a tattoo from a licensed tattoo parlor, you can donate blood at We Are Blood the same day.
• Whole blood can be donated every 56 days and must be used within 42 days
• Platelets can be donated every 10 days and must be used within five days

Get involved in National Blood Donor Month – and year-round – by donating at any of three donor centers on North Lamar, Round Rock, and South Austin. For more information on locations for hours and days of operation, click here.