Frequently Asked Questions
Red Cell Advantage
How does the program work?
Simple. Each time you give blood or platelets, you earn points. After you reach at least 400 points, you can go online to redeem your points for a thank you gift.
How many points do I get?
Each time you save lives by making a blood donation you'll earn Red Cell Advantage points, redeemable for a wide variety of gifts.:
- Whole blood donation = 75 points
- Automated red cell donation (Alyx) = 200 points
You can also earn points quickly as a platelet donor. For more information visit www.plateletadvantage.com
How do I claim my gift?
Easy. Click here and login using your email address, birth date and password. This is the same password you use to schedule appointments on our webpage www.nybloodcenter.org. From here you’ll see your point balance and the gifts available.
Do my points ever expire?
Yes, just like your blood, your Red Cell Advantage points have a shelf-life. To keep your points “active” you must:
- Make at least one Red Cell donation every 180 days OR
- Make at least one Platelet donation every 180 days
If you do not meet the above requirements you will forfeit 50 Red Cell Advantage points.
The above requirements will be waived while any donor is temporarily or permanently deferred from donating blood.
What can I get with my points?
Your Red Cell Advantage points are redeemable for a wide variety of gifts. Simply click here to view what is available today. Gifts are always changing based on availability. You can redeem for a smaller gift of at least 400 points or wait until you have thousands of points for a larger gift. You decide.
Can I give my points back to New York Blood Center?
Yes, whenever you donate blood or Platelets, you always have the thanks of grateful patients who receive your gift of life. If you’d like to donate your points back to NYBC, simply click here and select that option for the point value you’d like to donate. Thank you!
Can I transfer my points to a friend or family member?
No, Red Cell Advantage points are not transferable and not redeemable for cash.
When will I get my gift?
After your order is placed, your gift will be mailed to you within 2 weeks. If you have any questions about your order status, contact our PlRed CellConcierge hotline:1-800-933-BLOOD (2566)
When will my points be posted to my account?
Points will be posted to your account 5 days after your donation. You may redeem them anytime thereafter.
How can I check my point balance?
You can now go to www.nybloodcenter.org to track your Red Cell Advantage points, view your blood and platelet donation history, schedule donation appointments and more.
If you have any other question that is not answered here, please feel free to call our Red Cell concierge hotline at 1-800-933-BLOOD (2566). We are here specifically to help donors like you Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 9:00PM Saturday 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
Did You Know?
- Close to 2,000 donations are needed each day in the New York/New Jersey community for patients who require a life-saving blood and/or platelet transfusion. Those in need include cancer patients, accident, burn or trauma victims, patients undergoing surgery or a transplant, newborn babies, etc.
- Nearly anyone age 17 (16 in New York with parents' written permission) to 75*, who weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in good health can safely donate blood. People can safely donate blood every 8 weeks.
* Donors aged 76 and above may donate with a physician’s note.
- People can safely donate whole blood every 56 days or automated red cells (ALYX) every 112 days.
- There is NO SUBSTITUTE for donated blood. All transfusions in this country are a result of the 8 million volunteer blood donors in the United States. But the demand for transfusions is increasing as the population ages and more sophisticated medical care and surgeries, requiring transfusion support, become more commonplace.
- Donated blood is perishable just like milk. Red cells last for 42 days; platelets last for 5 days; plasma can be frozen for up to a year.
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