Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Nick Burdi is donating a specific resource to those in-need

With the NBA, NHL, NASCAR and other major sports leagues and sporting events suspended or canceled, professional athletes are using their platforms to facilitate financial support for arena workers and those affected by COVID-19 across the nation. Each day, we will feature a philanthropic effort taking place in the sports world.

Nick Burdi is taking this opportunity to donate more than money to those struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re not playing right now, so using our platform to start helping people across America, we thought, was the right thing to do.”https://t.co/4ylEtrOTNW

— Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2020

The 27-year old Burdi has pitched with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization since 2018. While most athletes across the nation have generously donated money to food banks and other nonprofit organizations, Burdi landed on another way to give back amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

#MLBbloodDonationChallenge

I challenge…@ItsbuccnJoe59 @SquidBrault @Dutch_Oven45 pic.twitter.com/CUVTixpS8N

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 19, 2020

And the Pirates are right there with him.

For a list of local @VitalantPA blood drive locations and information on how you can help: https://t.co/4JYvXpXAVV https://t.co/aq28VkDG0r

— Pirates (@Pirates) March 20, 2020

According to a report on MLB.com, Burdi began the #BloodDonationChallenge after watching a clip of the U.S. Surgeon General on television:

Pirates reliever Nick Burdi and his wife, Rebecca, were watching the news on Thursday when they heard U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams call on healthy young people to donate blood amid the national emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic.

After learning that there is a blood shortage across the country due to a wealth of cancelled blood drives, Nick and Rebecca immediately decided to donate.

Rebecca encouraged Nick to get his Pirates teammates and the organization involved, according to a report on WPRI.com:

“We have a group text going with the Pirate guys, and she says why don’t you text them and see who’s interested in doing it and we started talking more about it and texted some guys and Derek Holland and Joe Musgrove, Steven Brault, they all jumped in,” Burdi said. “Hopefully in 5-7 days, things take off and hospitals get the supplies of blood they need and help patients that are in desperate need of it.”

Fellow Pirates pitchers Steven Brault, Joe Musgrove and Derek Holland jumped on board.

@SquidBrault ✅ Thank you!! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge pic.twitter.com/c3Zfi6akYO

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 20, 2020

Let’s do it people! https://t.co/WgebRElQ3r

— Joe Musgrove (@ItsbuccnJoe59) March 19, 2020

Burdi has started himself a movement.

Thank you everyone for the support! We as a team @Pirates couldn’t be happier with the amazing response we’re getting! Get out and donate! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/ypofxbkEla

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 20, 2020

And the response that Burdi has received from the Pirates and the community has been overwhelming:

Looking for a way to help right now?

We’re supporting Nick Burdi & his challenge to everyone to donate blood.

Join Nick & tweet a photo of you donating blood with #MLBbloodDonationChallenge for a chance to win an @MLBTheShow code. pic.twitter.com/Fwlyl71Oy1

— Pirates (@Pirates) March 21, 2020

Thank you to our awesome partners at the @Pirates, especially Nick Burdi, who started the #MLBbloodDonationChallenge! Tweet your photo for a chance to win, and don’t forget to tag us @VitalantPA https://t.co/w9lfVLExVB

— Vitalant – Pittsburgh (@VitalantPA) March 21, 2020

Can’t thank you enough for help spreading the word https://t.co/ApmVqIqSFQ

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020

Thanks for sharing Steph! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/kmkbqRPLUm

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020

Appreciate you going out and helping! Make sure to replenish those iron levels! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/tIlhfwB9F9

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020

Jody a man of his words! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/lhws1XjMBX

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020

Great to hear Collin! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/HYezFhYqlB

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020

Yes sir! Blood banks will check everyone’s temperature before giving blood! Wash your hands and keep your distance! #MLBbloodDonationChallenge https://t.co/XkxKPsXvNr

— Nick Burdi (@NickyBurdi19) March 21, 2020