Apple has partnered with the American Red Cross as part of a blood donation drive.
The charity is currently facing a severe shortage of blood and is urging Americans to donate blood if they can, and has now partnered with Apple to try to incentivize users to head to their nearest blood bank. Those who donate blood, plasma, or platelets this month will be offered a 4-month extended Apple Music trial.
Those who donate between August 1 and August 31 will receive their ‘gift’ via email, and it’s important to note that the four-month free voucher is only eligible to those who have yet to pay for Apple Music. Those already subscribed will, unfortunately, not be able to benefit from the deal.
Speaking of the current shortage, the American Red Cross said: “As the coronavirus pandemic has grown here in the U.S., blood drive cancellations have grown at an alarming rate.
“To date, nearly, 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to concerns about congregating at workplaces, college campuses and schools amidst the coronavirus outbreak. These cancellations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations. More than 80 percent of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at these locations.”
“I am looking at the refrigerator that contains only one day’s supply of blood for the hospital,” said Dr. Robertson Davenport, director of Transfusion Medicine at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, said in a press release. “The hospital is full. There are patients who need blood and cannot wait.”
“As a nation, this is a time where we must take care of one another including those most vulnerable among us in hospitals,” said Gail McGovern, president and chief executive officer, American Red Cross. “One of the most important things people can do right now during this public health emergency is to give blood. If you are healthy and feeling well, please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible.”
Find out more about giving blood on the American Red Cross website.