Enjoy a Last Bit of Summer at the BeWell Blood Drive & BBQ
By Kristin Stankus, Digital Community and Social Media Specialist
As the new school year kicks off, Stanford Blood Center (SBC) encourages students and staff on campus to start the year off right by doing something great for the community!
On September 5th, 2014, SBC will host the first of several annual campus blood drives sponsored by BeWell@Stanford, a campus-wide umbrella organization that focuses on health and wellness and executes a wide variety of events throughout the year to enhance employee morale and social connections. BeWell is the largest contributor to units of blood collected on the Stanford campus. Last year, SBC collected 1,462 units of whole blood on campus and, of those, 465 units (approximately one-third) were collected at BeWell drives.
Eric Stein, Senior Associate Athletics Director for Physical Education, Recreation, and Wellness, is the champion behind the drives, which were born out of the Rivals for Life blood drive competitions held each November. The Rivals drives, where Stanford and UC Berkeley battle it out to see who can collect the most units over a one-day period, began in 2008 and are so successful and impactful that the athletics department wanted to assist with more drives. “They generously offered support to us when help was needed most, which is around the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays,” said Elisa Manzanares, Stanford Blood Center account manager.
The BeWell drives are an important tradition on campus.
“They create a sense of urgency and awareness throughout the Stanford Community regarding the need for blood around holidays, which are often critical times. The drives are also a great way to introduce people to what the blood center is doing for Stanford University. They tie in with BeWell’s mission and goals and are for a great cause,” said Steve DiPaolo, Director of Marketing and Special Projects for Physical Education, Recreation and Wellness.
Sign up here for the next BeWell drive on September 5th at the Arrillaga Center for Sports and Recreation at 341 Galvez (corner of Galvez and Campus Drive). Stop by to donate and stay for a delicious BBQ afterwards. Or if you are unable or not eligible to donate at the time of the drive, you can make an appointment at a center drive at a time that is convenient you.
Visit our BeWell Donor page at: http://stanfordbloodcenter.org/donate/bewell.html