Q: What is the Vitalant Donor Recognition Program?
A: The Vitalant Donor Recognition Program is our way of saying thank you for transforming lives with your blood donation! It’s a free program where you can earn points and redeem them for gifts. While many donors tell us nothing beats the satisfaction of helping others in need, we want to recognize those who give regularly. For complete Recognition Program rules, please visit vitalant.org/recognition.
Q: How do I become a member of the new Donor Recognition Program?
A: First, you’ll need to have an online donor account. If you do not have one created, visit our website at vitalant.org/recognition and choose the area you live in to be directed to the proper account site. Please use the unique email address you’ve provided to us at the time of donation, and that is not used by any other Vitalant donor, to create your online account. Next--and this is important--log in and opt in to the rewards program. Once you do, we’ll automatically credit your account with points for each donation you make.
Q: I’m already opted in to the rewards program. Do I need to re-enroll?
A: You won’t need to re-enroll as long as you have come to donate in the past 15 months. If it’s been longer than that, we encourage you to come donate again and re-enroll in the program to begin earning points for your lifesaving efforts.
Q: How do I earn points?
A: Points are earned as follows:
Power Red (double red cell) – 400 points
Plasma (convalescent/source) – 400 points
Platelets (e.g. platelet/plasma, platelet/red cell, platelet/red cell/plasma) – 500 points
Whole blood – 200 points
Q: Where can I find the points I have accumulated?
A: Log in to your online donor account, click on the Donor Recognition section, and look for your available points.
Q: Why am I not seeing my points from my donation today?
A: Please allow 7-14 days for your points to show in your account.
Q: Is there a reason that I didn’t get my full points for my donation today?
A: Please note that we have updated our Recognition Program, and the point values may not be the same as in your previous reward program. The current point structure is:
Power Red (double red cell) – 400 points
Plasma (convalescent/source) – 400 points
Platelets (e.g. platelet/plasma, platelet/red cell, platelet/red cell/plasma) – 500 points
Whole blood – 200 points.
Q: Did I lose my previously earned points?
A: If you were opted in to a previous rewards program with us and have continued to come donate within the past 15 months, any points you earned previously that are still active were automatically transferred. If it’s been longer than 15 months since we’ve seen you, your points expired. We encourage you to re-enroll in the program to begin earning points for every future donation you make.
Q: Will I still receive points even though I haven’t opted in to the donor recognition program?
A: No. You must first opt into the program before you can start earning points for each successful blood donation.
Q: Do my points ever expire?
A: We want to recognize your ongoing efforts to help patients in need. If you continue to donate, your points will remain active and redeemable within a rolling 15 months from the date of your last visit. Your points will only expire after 15 months of no recorded donations.
Q: How do I redeem my points?
A: To redeem points for a variety of thank-you items from our online donor store, please log in to your online donor account and locate your rewards store. Once you have accumulated enough points, you can choose from items including electronically delivered gift cards from a variety of well-known national retailers, as well as select apparel items that will be mailed to you. With as few as four blood donations, you could be eligible for a thank-you gift.
Q: Why is it taking so long for my gift card to get to me?
A: You should receive an activation email for your gift card within one week. If you didn’t receive it, please first check in your spam folder. If you do not receive the gift card email within one week, please contact our Customer Care team at 877.258.4825.
Q: May I give points back? May I opt out of the program?
A: Yes. You may choose to donate your points back to Vitalant to further support our lifesaving mission. You may also elect to opt out of the program.
Q: Can I share my recognition points?
A: Your recognition points are non-transferable. You may earn and redeem points solely for your own recognition account. There is a limit of one account per person.
Q: If I have opted out of the program, may I re-enroll?
A: Yes. You are welcome to re-enroll at any time. Just be aware that points will not be awarded for donations made prior to program re-enrollment.
Q: I used to earn bonus/double/triple points for giving frequently, on certain days of the week, during certain holidays, a specific donation type, etc. but I don’t now. Why?
A: We appreciate all you do to support the transfusion needs of patients. Thank you! Extra points for certain activities are not part of the new recognition program, however, there may be times when bonus points and special promotional items will be offered to donors based on patients’ blood needs.
Q: What can whole blood donors earn in the Recognition Program?
A: With as few as 4 donations a year, whole blood donors can earn enough points to redeem for electronic gift cards to various restaurants and retailers.