The Red Cross partners with Tetris to encourage US blood donations

The Red Cross and Tetris have partnered in a bid to encourage blood donations in the United States.

Until June 9, blood donors will receive an exclusive Tetris + Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.

Donors will also automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to New York to meet Tetris creator Alexey Pajitnov.

Appointments can be scheduled by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

“The Red Cross is thrilled to partner with a brand as iconic as Tetris to encourage the public to give blood, said Darren Irby, executive director of donors and sponsor marketing for the American Red Cross.

“The cross-generational appeal of Tetris makes it a ‘perfect fit’ for us in helping to reach audiences young and more mature to encourage them to take action and roll-up a sleeve to help save lives.”

The collaboration between Red Cross and Tetris coincides with the game’s 40th anniversary.

Last month, American convenience store chain 7-Eleven partnered with Tetris on a line of merchandise including apparel and a handheld featuring an officially licensed game.

Oklahoma teenager Willis Gibson recently became an internet sensation after he was crowned the first known person to ‘beat’ the original Tetris game on the NES by reaching its true ‘kill screen’, wherein the game crashes.

Previously, it was believed that only AI could reach Tetris’s kill screen, but Gibson managed it, and in January footage of his stunned reaction attracted mainstream coverage across the globe.