Red Cell Advantage

How Does the Red Cell Advantage Work?
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

Timing is Everything
* NOTE: Because red blood cells have just a 42 day shelf life, it is important that donations be made every day to ensure a fresh and ample blood supply. Certain "critical periods" that coincide with traditional holiday and vacation seasons are especially important.

Blood donations made during the following "critical periods" will earn an additional 50 Red Cell Advantage points:

December 22,2008- January 11, 2009
February 13-16, 2009
April 9-13, 2009
May 22-26, 2009
June 19- September 13, 2009
Additional dates may be added when necessary to meet patient needs.

Calendar Year Bonus Points
After each calendar year, beginning 2008, your loyalty will be Rewarded with Red Cell Advantage bonus points.

2 whole blood donations per year=75 bonus points
3 whole blood donations per year=125 bonus points
4 or more whole blood donations per year=175 bonus points

Automated red cell donations (Alyx) will count as 2 donations toward your calendar year bonus

Here's the fine print...

The Red Cell Advantage offers generous gifts for your active participation as a blood donor. You can donate whole blood every 56 days or automated red cells (Alyx) every 112 days. You will retain all your earned points if you make at least one blood or platelet donation every 180 days. If you do not meet this requirement you will forfeit 50 Red Cell Advantage points. This requirement will be waived while any donor is temporarily or permanently deferred from donating.

A minimum of 400 points is required for gift redemption. Gifts are tiered based on your accumulated point total. You'll see a wide array of gifts at each tier. You may redeem all or some of your points as you wish. You can even donate your points back to New York Blood Center. Red Cell Advantage points are not transferable and are not redeemable for cash.