July 3, 2012 at 11:06 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
A Poem by Gil Gonzales, Stanford Blood Center Donor
The greatest of gifts that costs nothing to give
A gift of hope that offers a family a sense of relief
Just a little of your time, so that another may live
A minor inconvenience that spares others major grief
Offering the gift of life from one's own veins
June 27, 2012 at 1:02 pm
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Julie Ruel, Social Media Manager, Stanford Blood Center
Donating blood together with friends or family members can be a rewarding experience of supporting patients in need while also building a sense of community with each other. A few years ago, we introduced our Center drive program to accommodate a growing number of inquiries about small, organized group donations - a great option when there may not be enough people to make a mobile blood drive feasible.
June 14, 2012 at 10:29 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Dayna Myers, Marketing Communications Manager, Stanford Blood Center
Around the world today, nations will celebrate blood donors in honor of World Blood Donor Day. In Iran, a trio of cyclists will wind up a 17-day challenge ride from the Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization in Tehran to the Ankara Blood Bank. Nigeria's Health Minister marked the occasion by donating blood in Abuja. And in Korea, this year's host country, the celebration began in February, when over 3,000 people donned red and broke the Guinness World Record for the world's largest human blood drop formation.
June 12, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Harpreet Sandhu, Administrator, Stanford Blood Center
Jim Early is an extraordinarily dedicated blood donor. One of our "frequent flyers," he has logged over 300 donations with Stanford Blood Center. He even keeps the Blood Center in mind when he plans his summer travel, because travel to malarial risk zones (such as India, parts of Mexico, and parts of Costa Rica) can lead to a one-year deferral from donating blood.
June 6, 2012 at 3:41 pm
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Dr. Chris Gonzalez, Assistant Medical Director, Stanford Blood Center
Apheresis granulocytes are a specialized blood product comprised largely of white blood cells. This product is used in patients with very low white cell counts that have life threatening infections that have not responded to antibiotic therapy. In some patients this is truly their last hope for survival.
April 4, 2012 at 11:17 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Tim Gilmore, Blood Drive Account Manager, Stanford Blood Center
Last year, my cousin's husband, Darren, became extremely ill. He was rushed to a hospital in Central California but after days of declining health, doctors decided that he needed to be taken by medevac to Stanford Hospital. Upon his arrival, he was met by world-class physicians who rushed to diagnose his symptoms. After being stabilized at Stanford, his health started to improve and we learned that he had leukemia. He started a treatment plan immediately and began receiving numerous blood products.
February 29, 2012 at 10:44 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Tim Gilmore, Blood Drive Account Manager, Stanford Blood Center
During each blood donation, six small tubes of blood are collected (to be used later for testing), along with the bag of blood used for transfusion. When the blood donors finish their good deed, they rest in the canteen with cookies and juice. But their precious gift of blood is already busy, working toward saving lives! Here, we take you on a tour through our lab.
February 21, 2012 at 10:49 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Donors & Friends of SBC
Last year for Valentine's Day, we asked you to write haiku poems for those closest to your heart. The response was better than anticipated so we asked for your poems again this year, this time to be written about donating blood and the patients who are fortunate to receive it. In addition to sharing them below, we've turned your three-line works of "heart" into cards, to be delivered to patients at the Palo Alto VA Hospital later this week.
February 14, 2012 at 10:37 am
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Julie Ruel, Social Media Manager, Stanford Blood Center
Do you consider blood type an important criterion for compatibility with the potential special someone in your life? According to Jenny Nakao Hones, a Japanese American who studies Asian cultures, superstitions, and customs, "One of the most popular methods in Japan that is gaining popularity around Asia is blood type analysis. Similar to other horoscope systems, blood type
has charts that indicate compatibility."
February 7, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Published by Stanford Blood Center
By Julie Ruel, Social Media Manager, Stanford Blood Center
As a blood donor, you are a giving individual by design. We're certain you would donate without recognition and regardless of the day's giveaway. That said, it's important to our organization that we don't take the people behind the blood donations for granted. You are part of a very important, very small population and your loyalty to patients in the community deserves to be recognized.
