Stanford Blood Center asks for blood donations during COVID-19 pandemic

April 1, 2020
Attention News Desk: Media Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Ross Coyle | 650-725-3804
rcoyle@stanford.edu

STANFORD, Calif. — The rapid rise of COVID-19 has led to all types of uncertainty, but one thing remains constant: hospital patients’ need for blood. Donating blood is an essential service to ensure patients’ safety, and blood donors are exempt from the current statewide shelter-in-place order.

During the month of April, Stanford Blood Center (SBC) is partnering with Jersey Mike’s Subs to help raise awareness about the importance of blood donation during this challenging time and incentivize current and potential new donors. Anyone who comes in to donate at a center or mobile between April 1 – 30 will get a coupon for a free regular-size Jersey Mike’s sub sandwich for use at any of the 12 Bay Area sub shops.

“Despite the shelter-in-place, individuals will continue to need blood. We want to reassure the public that blood donation is a safe process, and there is no increased risk to contracting COVID-19 from donating blood. If you’re healthy and eligible, we ask that you please consider donating, particularly in the second half of April to maintain a steady blood supply,” said SBC Spokesperson Ross Coyle. “We’re grateful to team up with Jersey Mike’s to help encourage donors to give the lifesaving blood products that allow us to support local patients in hospitals. Without the generosity of our partners, we simply could not do what we do.”

“Many of us know a friend or family member who has been directly impacted by blood donation, so we’re proud to support the work that Stanford Blood Center does to help save lives,” said Cathy Brown, Area Director at Jersey Mike’s Subs. “Blood donors selflessly share the gift of life. This is a wonderful opportunity for Jersey Mike’s to say thank you to these everyday heroes and inspire others in the community to help patients in need.”

While the restaurant industry has been deeply affected by the coronavirus outbreak, Jersey Mike’s is committed to the community and remains open for takeout and delivery. Donors can use their sub sandwich coupon when placing orders over the phone or at the store for takeout. Each coupon expires June 30, 2020 and is valid at all Bay Area Jersey Mike’s locations. If you’re unable to donate in April, not to worry, SBC will be running another promotion later this year.

Donors are urged to make an appointment at one of three donation center locations in Campbell, Menlo Park, or Mountain View. There are also a number of mobiles open to the public this month, including blood drives in Palo Alto and Santa Clara. Appointments can be scheduled online at stanfordbloodcenter.org or by calling 888-723-7831.

Donors should be in good health with no symptoms of illness. Eligibility information can be found at stanfordbloodcenter.org/eligibility or by calling 888-723-7831.

About Stanford Blood Center

Stanford Blood Center (SBC) is an independent, community blood center that supplies blood products and testing services to multiple Bay Area hospitals and is a recognized leader in the fields of transfusion and transplantation medicine. SBC was created at the Stanford University School of Medicine in 1978 to meet the complex transfusion and transplant needs of Stanford Health Care and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, as well as provide clinical trial services and specialized blood products for researchers. Today, the center remains locally focused, serving community hospitals, patients and donors, while contributing to research and advancement that impact the world at large. More information is available at stanfordbloodcenter.org.