American Red Cross offering chance at Super Bowl tickets if you donate blood

EVANSVILLE, Ind. —In the wake of a national blood shortage — a crisis the organization says is its worst in more than a decade — the American Red Cross and the NFL are giving anyone who donates blood during January a chance to win two tickets to the upcoming Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

In a news release, the organization said that it currently has a "dangerously low blood supply" that has impacted the amount of blood transfusions hospitals could administer. The Red Cross said in recent weeks it has less than a one-day supply of critical blood types, such as Type O, and that nearly one-quarter of hospital blood supply needs are not being met.

The organization noted two factors for the blood shortage in its press release: impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic and a recent onslaught of winter weather around the United States.

Over the course of the pandemic, the Red Cross said its had a 10% decline in blood donations, including a 62% drop in blood drives from schools and colleges. The Indiana Red Cross has more than 60% of its blood-donation appointments unfilled for the month of January.

More: Hospitals hanging in there as Vanderburgh County sets new COVID-19 records

January donors will be entered into a chance to win round-trip airfare to Los Angeles plus two tickets to Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium, as well as passes to the NFL Tailgate and the "Super Bowl Experience."

Times and locations for blood drives may vary, so you should check the Red Cross' website before traveling anywhere to donate. Here's Evansville's donation site:

• Evansville: American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 29 S. Stockwell Road.

Contact Ray Couture at rcouture@courierpress.com or on Twitter @raybc94

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Red Cross hopes Super Bowl ticket offer drives up blood donations