The characters in the violent world of “Game of Thrones” bleed plenty, but they’re not usually given a T-shirt or a cookie for their trouble.
HBO and the American Red Cross have teamed up to make giving blood a little more rewarding with the “Bleed for the Throne” campaign, which will give donors “Game of Thrones” T-shirts and a chance to win tickets to the show’s season 8 premiere.
The Red Cross is facing severe blood shortages, especially of type O blood, the most in-demand type, according to the organization.
Snowstorms and severe weather nationwide led to the cancellation of numerous blood drives, making the shortage worse
Anyone who donates blood between now and March 17 will be entered for a chance to win premiere tickets, and anyone who donates between March 7-12 will get the shirt, and a unique Snapchat filter to mark the occasion.
The “Bleed for the Throne” campaign is one of the largest partnerships the Red Cross has ever done, according to the organization.
Here’s a list of upcoming local blood drives:
• March 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. University of Pittsburgh, William Pitt Union Building, 3959 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh
• March 11, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Levin Furniture Store, 5280 Route 30, Hempfield.
• March 11, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., Charter Oak Church, 449 Fyre Farm Road, Unity.
Information about additional drives is available at the Red Cross website.
