The American Red Cross and NFL are partnering during National Blood Donor Month in January to encourage blood donations. Those who donate between Jan. 1-31 are automatically entered in a raffle to win two tickets to Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles on Feb. 13.

The giveaway comes as the Red Cross has declared the nation’s first-ever blood crisis.

The gift package in includes the Super Bowl tickets, round-trip airfare to Los Angeles, entry to the NFL tailgate, $500 expense gift card and more.

Those who donate in the month of January will also be entered into a raffle to win the Big Game at Home package to enjoy the game from the comforts of your own home. This package includes a projector, projector screen, sound bar and a $500 e-gift card for food and more.

According to the Red Cross, the nation’s blood supply is dangerously low, largely because the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a dramatic decline in donations. The organization said doctors are having to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who has to wait.

“While some types of medical care can wait, others can’t,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of the Red Cross. “Hospitals are still seeing accident victims, cancer patients, those with blood disorders like sickle cell disease, and individuals who are seriously ill who all need blood transfusions to live even as Omicron cases surge across the country. We’re doing everything we can to increase blood donations to ensure every patient can receive medical treatments without delay, but we cannot do it without more donors. We need the help of the American people.”

The organization in a news release this week said it has experienced a 10% decline in people donating since the outset of the pandemic. While all blood types are needed, the Red Cross said the need is particularly great for type O. Platelet donations are needed as well.

The Red Cross said it currently supplies 40% of the nation’s blood and has had to limit blood distributions to hospitals in recent weeks. In addition to dwindling donations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization said donations tend to drop during the winter months, when seasonal illnesses such as cold and flu occur more commonly. Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled; it must be donated.

“Every community in America needs blood on a daily basis. At a time when many businesses and organizations across the country are experiencing pandemic challenges – the Red Cross is no different. And while we are all learning how to live in this new environment, how we spend our time, where we work, how we give back, how we make a difference in the lives of others – donating blood must continue to be part of it,” Dr. Young said.

To schedule an appointment for your next blood, platelet or plasma donation, visit here.