Young Leukemia Patient’s Family Organizes Jan. 22 Blood Drive in Half Moon Bay for Stanford Blood Center


January 10, 2011
Attention News Desk: Press Release (for immediate release)
MEDIA CONTACT:
Michele Hyndman (650) 723-8237
mhyndman@stanford.edu


(NOTE TO REPORTERS: Media members are invited to attend the blood drive on Jan. 22 at 530 Kelly St. in Half Moon Bay.)

STANFORD, Calif. — A Stanford Blood Center bloodmobile will be parked next to BikeWorks at 530 Kelly St. in Half Moon Bay for a blood drive in honor of resident Dusty Dimas on Jan. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The blood drive will give locals an opportunity to support 4-year-old Dusty, who is receiving treatment and blood transfusions at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital for leukemia.

“We want to raise awareness in our community about how easy it is to give blood and how needed it is,” said Colleen Granahan, Dusty’s aunt and blood drive coordinator. “Donating blood is an easy way to show your support for local patients who depend on this simple gift.”

At the event, blood donors will enjoy access to a relaxing lounge for music and food. The blood drive is family-friendly and will have face painting for kids. A skate-trick demonstration and contest will be provided by the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside.

Each blood donor will also receive:

    • A small yogurt or hot dog from Nano’s Yogurt
    • A coupon for a free pint of ice cream from Baskin Robbins
    • A coupon for a free pint of beer from Old Princeton Landing (donors age 21 and over only)
    • A coupon for a free pint of chowder from Sam’s Chowder House
    • A chance to win surf, skate and bike gear; restaurant gift certificates; and an autographed Tony Hawk skateboard
    • An opportunity to join the Be The Match Registry, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program

“I can’t believe the difference one unit of blood made for Dusty’s demeanor, personality and health,” said Dusty’s mom, Marina Dimas. Dusty was initially taken to the hospital for a high fever on Oct. 9, 2010. “He had no color in his lips and eyes and received three units of blood. The next morning he had a smile on his face again. That was amazing,” she said.

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 smstaging.stanford.edu/bloodcenter.

Stanford Blood Center is the primary blood supplier to Stanford Hospital & Clinics and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

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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 eight local hospitals and is a recognized leader in the field of transfusion medicine. More information is available at https://bloodcenter-stg.stanford.edu.