Letter from the Executive Director: Emergency Need for Blood Donations

January 11, 2022
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ross Coyle | 650-725-3804
rcoyle@stanford.edu

Please see below for a letter from Harpreet Sandhu, Executive Director of Stanford Blood Center:

Dear Friends of Stanford Blood Center,

Due to the current COVID-19 surge, Stanford Blood Center (SBC) is seeing a significant increase in cancellations, both on an individual basis as donors are falling ill, and on a blood drive basis as companies are restricting their visitor onsite policies. As a result, we are currently facing an emergency need for all blood types. With many of our regular donors out sick right now, we are asking for anyone who is healthy and eligible to please make an appointment as soon as possible.

Across the nation, the blood supply is at dangerously low supply levels, and that situation is impacting us here in the Bay Area as well. Currently, SBC has only a few days of blood on hand. At the same time, demand at the hospitals has increased, and shows no signs of slowing down in the coming weeks. 

Given the decrease in availability of our usual donor community, it’s more imperative than ever that new blood donors come out to give for the first time. If new donors are unsure of their eligibility to give blood, they can reach out to us at 888-723-7831 or check our website at stanfordbloodcenter.org/eligibility.

Appointments are recommended in order to help maintain social distancing, and can be made online at sbcdonor.org or by calling 888-723-7831.

As token of our appreciation, anyone who gives blood during the month of January will be entered to win a two-night stay at a Ritz-Carlton resort. Plus, from January 13 – 17, donors will also get 1,000 bonus points to spend in our store on a $10 gift card from Peet’s Coffee, Lowe’s, Jamba Juice or Chipotle.

We hope to see you very soon,

Harpreet Sandhu
Executive Director, Stanford Blood Center