Career counselors, live music at Stanford Blood Center to boost donations

August, 2009
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michele Hyndman (650) 723-8237
mhyndman@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif. — Donors who give blood at one of the Stanford Blood Center’s three locations in Palo Alto and Mountain View between Aug. 17 and 22 have the opportunity to attend a special career-counseling event, “Giving Blood Works,” on Aug. 25.

And donors who want a festive atmosphere while they give blood may want to schedule an appointment for Aug. 20 when the blood center will be hosting a party with live music.

Those who donate during this period will be eligible to attend the center’s third career counseling event, which will take place Aug. 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the center’s site at 3373 Hillview Ave. in Palo Alto. It will feature career experts Cindy King and Georgia Adamson.

“While the unemployment picture continues to look grim, Stanford Blood Center is reaching out to the local community to offer donors the chance to network and polish their resume and interview skills,” said John Williams, the center’s marketing manager. “It a win-win for patients and donors. Patients will have life-saving blood when they need it, and donors get access to career opportunities.”

King and Adamson each have more than 30 years of experience in the career support industry and hold several related certifications. They will provide advice, networking and interview tips, and resume counseling. Among the recruiters at the event will be representatives from Stanford to discuss current job openings at the university, Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. More than 90 donors attended the two previous sessions.

One way to get a pass for the counseling gathering is to give blood on Aug. 20 from noon to 7:30 p.m., when the blood center will host its new “Hearts of Summer” event, which is a new take on its annual “O Party.” There will be live music, finger food and collectible T-shirt. The event will be at the center’s Hillview location and feature performances from French Cassettes, Mark Kostrzewa, Nomi Harper and Frank Reisinger, Amici Brass and Still Kickin’. Donors will have a chance to answer trivia questions for instant prizes, including a Saturday night stay with Sunday brunch at the Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto, gift certificates for Hobee’s and Celia’s restaurants and more.

Currently, the blood center is low in seven out of eight blood types. AB positive is the only blood type with a three-day supply. Low collections and high usage this summer has depleted the center’s inventory. “By giving blood on Aug. 20, a donor has a chance to save lives, enjoy great food and music, and possibly grow their career. What could be better than that?” said Williams.

Call (650) 723-7831 or toll-free (888) 723-7831 to make an appointment 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.

For more information or to schedule an appointment online, please visit https://bloodcenter-stg.stanford.edu.

# # #

The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation’s top 10 medical schools, integrating research, medical education, patient care and community service. For more news about the school, please visit http://mednews.stanford.edu. The medical school is part of Stanford Medicine, which includes Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. For information about all three, please visit http://stanfordmedicine.org/about/news.html.