Mississippi Blood Services Hosts St. Patrick's Day Blood Drive, Offers Free Ice Cream

Mississippi Blood Services brought back its annual St. Patrick's Day "Pint for a Pint" blood drive this week, and Oxford-area donors have one more chance to participate: the Oxford Donation Center at 2627 West Oxford Loop, Suite C, is hosting an additional drive date on March 17.

The promotion, sponsored by Blue Bell Creameries, ran March 11 through 14 at the Oxford location, matching drive dates in Cleveland. Oxford's extra March 17 date gives donors a second window that Cleveland residents did not receive. Donors in Oxford take home a limited-edition St. Patrick's Day T-shirt, though organizers have warned throughout the promotion that supplies are limited and urged donors not to wait.

Flowood donors had the most expansive offering: the Flowood Donation Center at 115 Tree Street ran the promotion from March 11 through 17 and gave each donor both a pint of Blue Bell ice cream and the commemorative T-shirt. The Cleveland Donation Center at 609 North Davis, Suite 101B, ran March 11 through 14 with the T-shirt giveaway only.

Kasey Dickson, director of public relations and marketing for Mississippi Blood Services, framed the festive promotion against a year-round reality. "Even as we celebrate this annual tradition, the need for blood never takes a holiday," Dickson said. "We are grateful to Blue Bell Creameries and our donors for helping ensure patients across Mississippi continue to receive the care they need."

Mississippi Blood Services has described the campaign as a beloved yearly tradition, but has been consistent in messaging that the underlying need extends well beyond St. Patrick's Day. Local hospitals rely on a steady supply of donated blood every day, and the "Pint for a Pint" format is designed to convert the holiday's goodwill into concrete donations that flow to patients statewide.

For Oxford donors who missed the first four days of the drive, Monday's date at the West Oxford Loop center represents the final opportunity to participate before the 2026 promotion closes.