Dorothy Cox offers a sweet incentive for Southcoast Blood Donors

During the month of October blood donors receive a half-pound of chocolate covered cranberries

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital and Dorothy Cox Chocolates are teaming up this October on a sweet incentive. Anyone who donates blood at a Southcoast sponsored blood drive during the month will receive a free half-pound of Dorothy Cox chocolate covered cranberries.

"Our donors look forward to this great incentive by Dorothy Cox each October," said Susan Oliveira, Team Leader for the Southcoast Health Van and Southcoast blood donor recruitment program. "We are very grateful for the Cox Family's ongoing support."

Anyone who donates blood at a Southcoast location during the month of October will receive a certificate for a free half-pound of Dorothy Cox chocolate-covered cranberries — you can choose from milk-, dark- or yogurt-covered. The certificate is redeemable at Dorothy Cox Chocolates at 115 Huttleston Ave. in Fairhaven.

"When you give at a Southcoast sponsored blood drive, the blood is used right here at your local hospital. Supporting the Southcoast Blood Bank is a great way for all of us to help our neighbors and give back to the community," said Dorothy Cox, owner of Dorothy Cox Chocolates in Fairhaven.

Where to donate

The Southcoast Blood Bank: The Southcoast Blood Bank is located at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford, off the main lobby. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, call 508-961-5320. More information is available online at www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/.

Community Blood Drives: Southcoast hosts blood drives throughout the region on the Southcoast Health Van and at local businesses. The schedule can be found online at www.southcoast.org/van/ or by calling 508-961-5320.

Follow us on Twitter for daily updates on the Southcoast Blood Drives and Southcoast Health Van locations. Find a link to our Twitter feed at www.southcoast.org/connect/.