Bloodmobile expanding 'beer for-blood' offer

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By Sabra Gertsch

Summary

Cascade Regional Blood Services says the promotion has worked so well at six Tacoma pubs and breweries, it's expanding its "Give blood, get beer" offer to its bloodmobile for pubs in Federal Way and Steilacoom.

Story Published: Jan 11, 2010 at 12:22 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 12, 2010 at 12:29 AM PDT

Bloodmobile expanding 'beer for-blood' offer
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Tacoma-based blood center offers donors a deal: Give a pint of blood, get a pint of beer.

Cascade Regional Blood Services says the promotion has worked so well at six Tacoma pubs and breweries, it's expanding its "Give blood, get beer" offer to its bloodmobile for pubs in Federal Way and Steilacoom.

Organizers say it takes all types of blood donors giving at all times to meet the demands.

"Sometimes they'll come in within a moments notice," said Lauren Buchholz of Cascade Regional Blood Services. "I've also known some to cancel vacation- just to come in to help the baby they don't even know."

But over the holidays, distracted donors slow down. And when people miss routine visits to the blood bank, the blood service goes to lunch at the Scoreboard Pub in Federal Way.

"We're thinking, 'pint for pint.' Its fun. we can get a new donor group," Buchholz said.

The blood bank that serves Pierce and south King counties is always in need of blood.

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday afternoon, a mobile blood blank will be at the scoreboard to take blood, and hand out coupons for a free, cold pint. It's a fun swap and an opportunity to tap into a crowd that could help.

Only 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood, and just 5 percent of those eligible do.

"I hate it every time but I do it, because it's for the babies," said one blood donor Lejuana Tennyson.

Tennyson gives blood every two months. Hers is a rare blend off blood that newborns need. But the experience makes her cringe, and she brings a book and looks the other way.

For her, the promise of a free beer doesn't make things any more pleasant.

"Seems like such a strange combination -- give blood drink beer," she said, laughing. "I guess for some, it would help."

The following are the dates and locations of upcoming drives:

Scoreboard Pub
1200 South 324th Street
Federal Way, Washington 98003
Friday, January 15, 11a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse
34902 Pacific Highway South
Federal Way, Washington 98003
Friday, January 22, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Spar
2121 North 30th Street
Tacoma, Washington 98403
Friday, January 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Steilacoom Pub & Grill
1202 Rainier Street
Steilacoom, Washington 98388
Saturday, January 30, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

Varsity Grill
1114 Broadway Avenue
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Friday, February 12, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.