For the first time ever, Vitalant blood donors had the chance to win a $20,000 gift card in December’s Big Giveaway. Donors who gave between Dec. 1-31 were entered to win the ultimate prize.
Thousands of donors gave blood, and a random selection process was used to determine the winner. Emanuel M. of Arizona had his name drawn and was mailed American Express gift cards to redeem at his choice of in-person or online stores.
It was Emanuel’s second time giving blood that qualified him for this giveaway. He had donated as a high school student in 2018. Then, while walking through the mall in December, he saw there was a blood drive happening and decided to stop on a whim. It was the Prescott Holiday Heroes blood drive, a special event drive that relies on donors to boost the holiday blood supply in Arizona and beyond.
Emanuel didn’t ease into his blood donations either. From the start, he decided to give Power Reds. 
“I started donating because I was interested in the medical field and saw how crucial blood donation really was, especially after I started nursing school,” he said. “So many people rely on blood donations to save their lives.”
Emanuel said he will continue to donate because he knows he has an in-demand blood type, and he knows that his donations will go to people in need.
“Winning this giveaway is life-changing, as I am in nursing school and do not work very much due to the intensity of the program,” said Emanuel. “This is so generous, and I never thought I would have won something of this caliber. Thank you to Vitalant for having this giveaway. I am forever grateful.”