There were 84,335 donors who qualified for our Thrive in 2025 Giveaway, which ran from Jan. 8-31. While only three of those donors could win $10,000, they all helped patients thrive by coming in to give blood.
The winning donors hail from the West Coast, the Midwest and the Northeast, representing a variety of geographical regions where Vitalant collects blood. Each winner was mailed an American Express gift card or emailed an electronic gift card, depending on preference.
Esme M. from California is our first winner. With a total of 11 donations with Vitalant, she gave her qualifying whole blood donation at one of our donation centers.
Our second winner is Rochelle M. from Minnesota. Her qualifying donation took place at a mobile drive operated by our Fargo, N.D., colleagues. With six lifetime donations, Rochelle gave her first Power Red donation at this drive after previously giving whole blood.
Brian T. of Pennsylvania is our third winner. Brian had two qualifying donations during the month of January. He gave platelets at one of our donation centers, then returned for a concurrent plasma/platelet donation.
Brian began as a whole blood donor, then switched to giving power red donations, then started giving platelets exclusively in 2015. With Vitalant, he has a total of 161 total donations (and counting). 
“When I listened to the voicemail message, I initially thought I was being told I had won a lesser prize. Once I realized I had won the $10,000 gift card, I immediately thanked God for allowing me to win,” says Brian.
Brian remembers the exact date and place of his first blood donation: Nov. 18, 1986, at a drive held at the University of Pittsburgh prior to the Pittsburgh vs. Penn. State game.
“I continue to donate in order to help patients in need of blood products,” says Brian. “Anyone hesitant to donate blood should know it is a minor time commitment with lifesaving implications.”
We kick off 2025 with much appreciation for our donors. We couldn’t help patients survive and thrive without them!