As part of a four-week effort to boost blood donations around the holidays, Palo Alto Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto will choose one lucky blood donor at 10 a.m. Dec. 18 to receive a bottle of wine from Stanford Blood Center administrator Vince Yalon’s private collection.
Currently, the blood center is experiencing a severe Rh-negative blood shortage (blood types O-, A-, B- and AB-). The Dec. 18 prize drawing kicks off a month of drawings to encourage donors to schedule a visit during the holiday season. Local vendors have donated gifts to give away through Jan. 12. One winner will be chosen each day from amongst those who donate at the center’s various locations.
“We know people are busy this time of year but patients continue to need blood, so we’re pulling out all the stops to encourage and thank people for saving lives during the holidays,” said center spokesperson Michele Hyndman. Other promotions being offered at center locations include gift wrapping and a prize drawing for a 2007 Specialized Hardrock XC bicycle courtesy of Menlo Velo. The center will also give away T-shirts, movie tickets and ice cream to donors on specific dates.
The blood center is also hosting a Casino Night Community Mixer at its 3373 Hillview Ave. location in Palo Alto on Jan. 2 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. “The money may be fake, but the lives you’ll save are real. Donate during this annual donor favorite and get some buffet grub, Rat Pack tunes and blackjack fun,” said event planner Jennifer Reczkowski.
Former blood recipients will also visit the Hillview location Dec. 26-Jan. 4 for a few hours each day to thank donors, and to recruit family and friends to donate during a time when donations drop the most. “Between Christmas and New Year’s Day, Stanford Blood Center holds a fraction of the mobile blood drives that we do in a typical week and donations at our location are far fewer as well,” said Hyndman.
For details about the center’s holiday promotions or to schedule an appointment online, please visit http://bloodcenter.stanford.edu.
Eligible people of all blood types are encouraged to donate at one of Stanford Blood Center’s locations in Mountain View and Palo Alto. Donors can call (650) 723-7831 or toll-free (888) 723-7831 to make an appointment, learn hours of operation and get directions. Donors should be in good health with no cold or flu symptoms. They must eat well prior to donation, drink fluids and present photo identification at the time of donation. The process takes about an hour.
Stanford University Medical Center integrates research, medical education and patient care at its three institutions — Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. For more information, please visit the Web site of the medical center’s Office of Communication & Public Affairs at http://mednews.stanford.edu.