8th Annual Blood Drive with the Sharks Foundation
By Julie Peachey
Each year, we partner with the Sharks Foundation to host our Save a Life blood drive, and each year, we are overwhelmed by the support we receive from community donors. Despite having to compete with Giants FanFest and Super Bowl weekend, the drive brought in over 300 Sharks fans, filling the entire donor area throughout the day.
This year we introduced a new “power play” promotion to bring donors in during the early and later hours of the drive. Those with appointments during these times were entered into special prize drawings for T-shirts and autographed memorabilia, plus penthouse suite tickets to that night’s game. Lucky ticket winners included a first time blood donor (pictured below) and one very excited fan who had not yet been to a Sharks game! Elisa Manzanares, SBC blood 
drive account manager, was pleased with the outcome. “Because this is such a popular drive, we wanted to do something to reduce the amount of time people would have to wait in line to donate blood. The donors had so much fun with it and we were able to spread appointments out, providing better customer service.” Make sure to book your appointments in advance for next year’s drive, as we’ll be doing this again!
The Sharks Foundation is committed to improving the lives of youth and families in their community. In support of their mission, several Sharks players stopped by to personally thank the donors for doing their part to help – giving blood so patients get that second chance to enjoy more time with their families.
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Congratulations to the Sharks who beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 that night. Well done, gentlemen!