Champions Sun - News
Blood Center asks for donors to share their stories
By VAL CLIFTON
Behind every action, there’s a reason. And the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center wants to know what drives their donors to commit to saving lives.
In the first quarter of 2009, the GCBRC wants donors to share those stories in hopes of inspiring others to Commit for Life by giving blood at least once a quarter.
GCBRC Public Relations Associate Sheena Abraham said that many people have been touched by Commit for Life donations and the need is always there.
“It encourages others to get involved to help meet the need and permanently increase the blood supply,” Abraham said.
In 2009, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will need to collect 328,000 donations for patients in area hospitals. More individuals are needed to sign up as committed donors this year, as the daily need for blood in the region has increased from 900 to 1,000 units a day.
Abraham said among the increase in young donors is a high school student she recently met who was inspired to donate after her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.
“She understands the importance of the donation,” Abraham said. “It doesn’t affect the person receiving it, it affects the friends and family of the blood recipient.”
Last year, Heather Sambilay sent in the story of her son, Nicholas, who at 8 weeks old used blood during operations on his liver and intestine.
“Both my husband and I donate at least every quarter now that we realize how precious babies and many others can be saved,” Heather wrote. Her story, along with Nicholas’ photo, is featured in the 2009 Commit for Life calendar.
Every two weeks, one inspirational story will be featured on The Blood Center’s Web site. The writer of that story will be awarded 500 points to use in the Commit for Life store.
Those who submit stories may be selected for inclusion in the 2010 “Commit for Life Calendar.” In addition, donors are also encouraged to share their tales on social networking sites set up by the Blood Center such as their blog site and Flikr.
“We are always finding donors and people are spreading the word about the need for blood in their community through Twitter,” Abraham said.
January is Commit for Life Month – also observed as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month – and starting Jan. 1, donors can visit giveblood.org to tell the GCBRC why they Commit for Life.
To share your story, or to schedule your next blood donation visit www.giveblood.org.
The promotion ends March 31.
In the first quarter of 2009, the GCBRC wants donors to share those stories in hopes of inspiring others to Commit for Life by giving blood at least once a quarter.
GCBRC Public Relations Associate Sheena Abraham said that many people have been touched by Commit for Life donations and the need is always there.
“It encourages others to get involved to help meet the need and permanently increase the blood supply,” Abraham said.
In 2009, Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center will need to collect 328,000 donations for patients in area hospitals. More individuals are needed to sign up as committed donors this year, as the daily need for blood in the region has increased from 900 to 1,000 units a day.
Abraham said among the increase in young donors is a high school student she recently met who was inspired to donate after her grandmother was diagnosed with cancer.
“She understands the importance of the donation,” Abraham said. “It doesn’t affect the person receiving it, it affects the friends and family of the blood recipient.”
Last year, Heather Sambilay sent in the story of her son, Nicholas, who at 8 weeks old used blood during operations on his liver and intestine.
“Both my husband and I donate at least every quarter now that we realize how precious babies and many others can be saved,” Heather wrote. Her story, along with Nicholas’ photo, is featured in the 2009 Commit for Life calendar.
Every two weeks, one inspirational story will be featured on The Blood Center’s Web site. The writer of that story will be awarded 500 points to use in the Commit for Life store.
Those who submit stories may be selected for inclusion in the 2010 “Commit for Life Calendar.” In addition, donors are also encouraged to share their tales on social networking sites set up by the Blood Center such as their blog site and Flikr.
“We are always finding donors and people are spreading the word about the need for blood in their community through Twitter,” Abraham said.
January is Commit for Life Month – also observed as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month – and starting Jan. 1, donors can visit giveblood.org to tell the GCBRC why they Commit for Life.
To share your story, or to schedule your next blood donation visit www.giveblood.org.
The promotion ends March 31.
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