Bergen blood drive has a twist: $5,000 pumpkin spice giveaway for lucky donors

Donating blood this fall might give you more than just a good feeling about helping your neighbors. In Paramus , you might be rewarded with $5,000 for your favorite pumpk i n spice drinks and food.

Paramus Emergency Medical Services and the borough Police Department will host a blood drive on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Life Safety Complex at 1 West Jockish Square.

Donors to this drive, along with any others across the nation organized by the nonprofit Vitalant, will be eligible to enter the organization's Pumpkin Spice Giveaway . Vitalant is involved in 60,000 blood drives across the country, said Ann Sterling, communications manager for the group's northeast division.

Those who donate from Sept. 5 to Oct. 5 in Vitalant-associated drives have a chance to win one of five $5,000 gift cards, according to the organization. Sterling said the giveaway can be split up into multiple cards, which can be used at 200 businesses, including Starbucks.

Pumpkin Spice Giveaway is a first for Vitalant

It's not always easy to find blood donors. This is the first year Vitalant has tried such a reward, said Sterling. While the group's giveaways are meant to express gratitude to volunteers, she finds most people attend simply to help a good cause.

“We’ve actually discovered that most of our donors are not just drawn in by giveaways. They actually come because they do recognize the critical need right now for blood on hospital shelves,” said Sterling.

Those wishing to donate must weigh at least 110 pounds and bring identification. Donors should eat a meal before giving blood and drink plenty of water before and after the drive, according to a flyer for the Paramus blood drive.

Each donation can help multiple recipients, said Sterling, who added that it’s no coincidence the giveaway is being held near October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. More than 25% of the blood supply goes to aid cancer patients, she said.

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“It’s the blood that’s already donated and ready to help that makes all the difference when a patient is in need and arrives at a hospital,” said Sterling.

Physical gift cards will not be provided at blood donation locations and donors must be 18 years or older to qualify. They must also have a valid email in their Vitalant donor records and will be notified if they win by phone or email around Oct. 10.

Those who can’t go to the Paramus blood drive or want to find another way to donate in their area can visit vitalant.org to make an appointment.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen blood drive has a twist: $5,000 pumpkin spice giveaway for lucky donors