Donating blood is a life-saving act, and now there are additional incentives to encourage more people to donate. The Big Red Bus, a mobile blood donation center operated by OneBlood, is currently stationed at an animal adoption shelter in Doral.

Incentives for Blood Donation

Donors at this location receive a voucher that waives their pet adoption fees, a $20 e-gift card, a bandana for their dog, and a custom OneBlood bag. These incentives aim to attract new donors and make the experience more rewarding. Christopher Musalan, who works at the Miami-Dade County Animal Shelter, decided to donate blood for the first time when he saw the Big Red Bus parked outside his workplace. Despite having never donated before, he felt at ease and expressed his hope to see the bus more frequently. “I hope I see this truck out here more often,” Musalan said, highlighting the convenience and accessibility provided by the mobile donation center.

Community Engagement and Convenience

OneBlood operates Big Red Buses throughout the county, bringing donation opportunities directly to the community. By situating the bus at various convenient locations, such as the animal adoption shelter, they eliminate the need for donors to visit a specific office. Instead, individuals can simply walk onto the bus and donate blood on the spot. Summer months typically see a significant drop in blood donations, with numbers decreasing by 40-60 percent. Therefore, attracting new donors during this period is crucial. Jesus Barquie, who hadn’t donated blood in a year, found himself motivated to give when he walked by the bus unexpectedly. “It does work,” Barquie said. “I didn’t think about it and I just saw it and I’m like, yeah let me just donate. I feel like helping today.”

Mutual Benefits for Donors and Pets

The collaboration between OneBlood and the animal shelter creates a symbiotic relationship, benefiting both organizations and the community. Annette Jose, the director of the shelter, supports the idea of having the Big Red Bus at their location more frequently. She believes that this initiative not only promotes blood donation but also encourages pet adoption.

“If you come and donate, you’re saving up to four lives,” Jose explained. “Donating blood you’ll save three human lives. And of course, adopting an animal is saving a life.” This dual impact underscores the significance of the collaboration, as individuals have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to both human and animal lives.

The incentives provided by OneBlood’s Big Red Bus at the animal adoption shelter in Doral are successfully attracting new donors and fostering a sense of community engagement. By making blood donation more convenient and rewarding, and by highlighting the mutual benefits for both human and animal lives, this initiative exemplifies the positive outcomes that can arise from creative partnerships and community-focused efforts.