Foxborough Man Surprises Son with Patriots Tickets He Won Giving Blood

Foxborough resident Paul Currie realized the importance of giving blood several years ago when his daughter had a major surgery.

“I realized giving blood is something we all need to do,” Currie said. "[It is] easy and the benefits for others are priceless.”

Currie, 52, was off from work last week when he heard about an American Red Cross blood drive happening at Patriot Place.

“I decided I would do my part,” Currie said of participating in last Thursday’s Dunkin’ Donuts sixth annual “Give a Pint, Give a Pound” campaign.

As part of the event at Patriot Place, five lucky donors would win two tickets apiece to Sunday’s AFC Divisional Round playoff game between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.

Currie was one of 60 people to donate blood last Thursday and be entered into a raffle to win Patriots tickets.

“Why not [give blood] and try and win tickets at the same time?” Currie recalled.

After not hearing from Dunkin’ Donuts for several days following the event, Currie thought he hadn’t won ...

Until he got the call.

“I was told that winners would be notified that night  [Jan. 3],” Currie said. “So when I didn't hear anything I shrugged it off and forgot all about it. I received a call Monday morning [Jan. 7] from a girl saying she was from Dunkin’ Donuts and wanted to know if I knew why she was calling. Right then it clicked and I asked her if I won. She told me I was one of five winners and I was blown away.”

Currie visited the Patriot Place Dunkin’ Donuts on Jan. 10 along with the other four ticket winners to claim their prizes. The Baker Street resident and lifelong Patriots fan was thrilled to be going to Sunday’s game.

“This will be my first game at Gillette Stadium,” Currie said. “I haven't been able to get tickets in years due to their popularity and let's face it … it ain't cheap. I am really looking forward to being there in the heart of it all. I surprised my 19-year-old-son with the tickets and he is just as pumped as I am.”

While Sunday will be Currie’s first game at Gillette Stadium the South Walpole native is a veteran fan who endured many games at the old Foxboro Stadium.

“I've been a Pats fan my whole life,” Currie said. “Growing up in the area, I went to many games from the day the old Foxboro Stadium opened up in the early 70's. It's been so enjoyable watching such a powerhouse over the past decade with [Tom] Brady, but more so coach [Bill] Belichick.”

In addition to looking forward to watching the game inside Gillette Stadium, Currie said he is looking forward to the unseasonably warm weather expected Sunday.

“Not being a fan of the freezing cold, I'm looking forward to the spring-like weather at game time,” he said.

Asked to offer a prediction for Sunday, Currie said he expects a closer game than the

“If I was to make a prediction it would be Patriots 34, Texans 24,” Currie said.

In addition to Currie, donors from Walpole, Sharon, Waltham and Bridgewater won tickets from Dunkin’ Donuts, the New England Patriots and the American Red Cross.

Dunkin’ Donuts “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” campaign provides a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee* to all presenting donors. The campaign is in celebration of National Blood Donor Month and helps increase awareness about the need for blood. The campaign has been successful during the past four years as Dunkin’ Donuts has provided more than 435,000 pounds of coffee to presenting donors, and if one donation can save up to three lives, Dunkin’ Donuts has helped more than 1.3 million patients.

Donated blood is used to help accident victims, trauma patients, transplant recipients, and those receiving treatment for life-threatening illnesses.

Currie was appreciative of the program and happy to help those in need.

“I just want to thank the American Red Cross and Dunkin’ Donuts for this generous gift and putting a huge smile on my face and of course my son’s,” Currie said. “Give blood and go Pats.”