The American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts launched the “Dunkin’ Donors Make a Difference” campaign on Friday, Jan. 2, with a blood drive at Patriot Place to help increase donations and raise awareness about the need for blood and platelet donations during National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. Boston Marathon bombing survivor Heather Abbott, of Newport, R.I., made an appearance at the event to donate blood and underline the importance of taking the time to donate. “One of the first memories I have is being in the ambulance getting a blood transfusion because I had lost so much blood,” Abbott said, recalling her experience from the Boston Marathon bombing. “If it had not been for the people who helped me; the first responders, Matt and Erin Chatham, who found me on the ground after the second bomb, and the blood donors, I wouldn’t be here today to tell you about what I have accomplished.” Joining Abbott at the event were Matt and Erin Chatham, Patriots Cheerleaders, Dunkin’ Donuts and American Red Cross representatives and Patriots, Dunkin’ Donuts and American Red Cross mascots. Donors at the Patriot Place blood drive received free donuts and coffee, a $5 Dunkin’ Donor card and were entered into a drawing to win one of five pairs of Patriots tickets to the Saturday, Jan. 10 playoff game at Gillette Stadium. “There is always a constant need for blood donations because blood is only good for 42 days,” said Jeff Myer, CEO of Massachusetts and Connecticut regions for the Red Cross. “Every two seconds across the country someone is getting a blood transfusion, so we need blood donations to be constant, so we can keep the blood supply where it needs to be and that’s why we are so excited for this promotion.” In seven years of the Dunkin’ Donuts partnership with American Red Cross, more than 562,000 blood and platelets donations have been collected.