Business
Alaska Airlines 'Gift of Travel' helps hero donor reach his 50th state
Alaska Airlines is giving Pennsylvania resident Vinton Smith the 'Gift of Travel,' helping him complete his inspiring mission to donate blood in all 50 states. On June 14 -- World Blood Donor Day -- Vinton will make his final donation in Honolulu, more than a decade after beginning this life-saving journey. Alaska will also fly his wife and their two children to Hawai'i, turning Vinton's final stop into a meaningful family journey and a powerful reminder of how one selfless act can impact an ent
About this update from Alaska Air Group, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":" A man's mission to donate blood in all 50 states ends in Hawai'i — with help from Alaska Airlines, plus a sweepstakes for local donors","length":142,"tagName":"p","attribs":{}},{"type":"text","content":"HONOLULU, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alaska Airlines is giving Pennsylvania resident Vinton Smith the 'Gift of Travel,' helping him complete his inspiring mission to donate blood in all 50 states. On June 14 -- World Blood Donor Day -- Vinton will make his final donation in Honolulu, more than a decade after beginning this life-saving journey. Alaska will also fly his wife and their two children to Hawai'i, turning Vinton's final stop into a meaningful family journey and a powerful reminder of how one selfless act can impact an entire community.","length":569,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"Alaska Airlines x Hawaiian Airlines","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"Alaska Airlines x Hawaiian Airlines","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":225,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/1b015e5547f25695082ad713d9fd9ce1"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/FuRcXHdFRGFxP3Tv68Q6WA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTM5NztjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/1b015e5547f25695082ad713d9fd9ce1","width":400,"height":225}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2690300/Alaska_Airlines_Hawaiian_Airlines.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"Last summer, Alaska flew Vinton to Anchorage, where he donated blood in the 49th state at the Blood Bank of Alaska. Recognizing the critical need for blood donations, the airline also donated $10,000 to the Blood Bank of Alaska to help the organization continue its essential services across the state.","length":302,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Also making the journey is Vinton's mother, who first inspired him to become a blood donor as a young boy. Alaska is supporting her trip so she can be there to see her son complete his extraordinary mission. In Honolulu, Vinton will donate blood at the Blood Bank of Hawai'i, turning this final act into a true family affair as his children also step forward to donate — three generations coming together in a shared moment of compassion and impact.","length":457,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text"...