Give Blood. Get Free Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: Here’s How

Krispy Kreme (DNUT) is offering anyone that donates blood through the American Red Cross a free dozen doughnuts now through Jan. 31.

The American Red Cross has been hit with a blood shortage – one of the worst it's seen in over a decade – as hospitals are filled to capacity during the COVID pandemic. On Jan. 11, the Red Cross made a plea for blood donors, announcing the first-ever national blood crisis.

Complicated by severe winter weather, blood supplies at the Red Cross have diminished as numerous blood drives have been canceled. Blood inventories are also at their lowest levels, and certain blood products are being limited to hospitals, the organization said.

For this reason, the Red Cross is calling on donors to come forward to donate blood in the days and weeks ahead to prevent further delays in medical care. All blood types are needed, especially types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, the Red Cross said.

To help, Krispy Kreme will thank everyone who donates blood or platelets by giving them a free dozen Original Glazed doughnuts.

To get in on the promotion, which coincides with National Blood Donor month, donors will need to visit a Krispy Kreme shop through Jan. 31 and show either a donation sticker received when they donated blood or confirmation of their blood donation in the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

“Hopefully a free Original Glazed dozen will increase awareness and even mobilize those who can give blood,” Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme chief marketing officer, said in a statement.

“We want them to enjoy the doughnuts with our thanks but also share the doughnuts while encouraging others to roll up their sleeves,” he added.

To make an appointment to give blood or platelets visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor app.

Krispy Kreme is also encouraging donors to share photos of them enjoying their free dozen doughnuts online by using the hashtag #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme on Facebook or Twitter.