There’s no place like home for the holidays, and there’s no better feeling than knowing you helped save lives. Five special donors leaned into that feeling in December, and in addition to potentially saving lives, they each won a $5,000 gift card in our Home for the Holidays Giveaway.
The giveaway, which ran Dec. 2-20, 2024, had 67,182 qualifying donors. But only five lucky donors could win a $5,000 gift card in our random drawing.
Our five winners were awarded electronic gift cards that they could use among about 200 different retailers, airlines, restaurants and more. They could spend the $5,000 in one place or choose to spread it out. They could spend it during the holiday season or choose to save it for the new year ahead. Either way, finding out they’d won an extra $5K made these donors’ days.
Melissa B. from South Dakota has 15 lifetime donations with Vitalant. She qualified for this giveaway during her visit to the Rapid City Donation Center. In addition to donating whole blood at the center, Melissa has also donated at special event blood drives including Drops of Life and Community Heroes in the past.
“I personally don’t think of myself as a hero,” shares Melissa. “Honestly, I started donating blood for purely selfish reasons. At the height of the pandemic, I was able to see my COVID antibodies. It was something simple, but it made me feel safe in a time of extreme uncertainty.”
Melissa said she became hooked after receiving her first notification that her donation had been sent to a hospital for patients. After a few years of donating on a regular basis, Melissa was notified by Vitalant that she had received a positive DAT antibody test. She’s been working with her doctor to address the issue ever since.
“I truly feel that if it wasn’t for Vitalant, it would have gone undiagnosed. It was comforting to have someone watching out for my health and seeing what I cannot. I now donate regularly so I can stay on top of my health as well as help those who need it.”
Who were the other four donors who took home $5,000 after donating in December? First-time donor Gina G. of New Mexico qualified after giving whole blood at the Dona Ana County blood drive. We look forward to seeing more of this O-positive donor at future drives.
With 13 lifetime donations, Mark S. of Minnesota gave his winning Power Red donation at a mobile drive operated by our Fargo, N.D., colleagues.
Jasmine L., a California donor with 12 lifetime donations, qualified for the contest thanks to her perseverance. After attempting to give whole blood at the Sacramento Sierra Oaks Donation Center, she decided to come back to try again the next day. Her donation attempt and subsequent donation both qualified her for this promotion—and now she’s a national giveaway winner!
Our final winner is Yesenia R. of Colorado. Yesenia began giving blood in California, but when she moved to Colorado, she became a Vitalant donor who now has six lifetime donations. Yesenia’s qualifying whole blood donation occurred at the Colorado Springs Donation Center.
“When I found out I won, I felt overwhelmed with joy and truly blessed because I knew that the power of prayer had just blessed me financially. I was going through a difficult time, and this was exactly what I needed,” she says.
Yesenia has been a blood donor since her senior year of high school, and she calls it one of the best decisions she’s made.
“Knowing I am doing a good deed for society motivates me to give blood. Plus, needles and blood don’t bother me, so it’s always a great and gratifying experience. Don’t hesitate to try it. You’ll never know if you like it unless you give it a chance.”
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy holiday seasons to give blood. You are an invaluable gift to us and to patients!