Red Cross 'Pint for a Pint' Blood Drive

There's never been a sweeter time to donate blood — starting July 25 and until the end of August, the American Red Cross is offering each donor a coupon for a free pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream.

The "Pint for a Pint" promotion, a welcome addition to the old orange juice and sugar cookie scenario, is meant to attract new summertime blood donors. During the summer, demand for blood can rise because of roadway and travel-related injuries, while the organization's regular donors are away on vacation, according to the Red Cross.

May and June saw the lowest level of donations in over a dozen years for the same months, according to the Red Cross, while demand for blood products remained steady. Consequently, the Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.

Upcoming nearby blood drive locations are:

• July 26, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., American Red Cross Donor Center, 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland
• July 26, noon-6 p.m., Interfaith Community, St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 2005 Berryman St., Berkeley
• Aug. 9, 9 a.m., , Albany

For more locations, search for your zip code at redcrossblood.org/northernca.

Meanwhile, the nearest are:

• 2635 Blanding Ave., Alameda 
• 1199 40th St., #200, Emeryville
• 100 Pelton Center Way, San Leandro
• 10598 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito

To donate blood, you must be in good health and at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent) and 110 pounds, plus height requirements.