Sharks Foundation to hold Feb. 1 blood drive at SAP Center in San Jose

January 30, 2014
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Deanna Bolio (650) 725-3804
dbolio@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Blood Center and the Sharks Foundation are teaming up for their annual blood drive at the SAP Center in San Jose on Feb. 1 from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Representatives from Donate Life California and Be The Match will also be on hand to register donors interested in joining organ or bone-marrow donation registries.

“The Sharks Foundation is so grateful for the partnership with Stanford Blood Center. This unique collaboration allows Sharks fans to show their compassion for their team and their local community by helping to save lives,” said Casey Roberts, foundation coordinator. “We look forward to collecting more donations every year and hope to raise awareness for the need of blood donations in the Bay Area.”

The Sharks drive, now in its eighth year, is one of the largest mobile drives for the blood center each year. In 2012, Sharks supporters combined to donate 261 units of blood.

“We’re so appreciative of the tremendous support we’ve received from the Sharks Foundation and generous Sharks fans,” said blood center spokesperson Deanna Bolio. “After a January where we were at times critically low in several blood types, this drive will go a long way in replenishing our inventory.”

All fans who attempt to donate blood or who sign up for the bone marrow registry will be able to watch the 10:30 a.m. skate for the San Jose Sharks. Fans who attempt to donate blood will also be entered into a drawing for the chance to win Sharks prizes. Appointments for the drive are limited.

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 call (888) 723-7831 or visit stanfordbloodcenter.org.

WHAT: Sharks Foundation hosts blood drive

WHO: Attendance limited to media and to blood donors with appointments

WHEN: Feb. 1, 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

WHERE: SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose

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The Stanford University School of Medicine consistently ranks among the nation’s top 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.

Stanford Blood Center was created at the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1978 to meet the complex transfusion needs of Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, as well as provide tailored blood products and clinical trial services for school researchers. Today the center provides blood products to seven local hospitals and is a recognized leader in the field of transfusion medicine. More information is available at https://bloodcenter-stg.stanford.edu.