Blood: The Gift of Life
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Some of you do it because you feel it’s the right thing to do. Some of you do it because you were asked by a friend.
The need for blood is constant. Can you help? You could help save someone’s life.
The 29th Annual County Employee Blood Drive starts Wednesday, April 3, and takes place at seven locations throughout the month. All employees are encouraged to donate blood and you can ask family members or friends to donate too.
“The response from County employees is amazing year after year,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox, a lifelong donor who has made more than 120 donations over the years. “Employees make the annual County Blood Drive one of the San Diego Blood Bank's largest and most successful collection events.”
Last year, County employees donated more than 260 pints of blood during the blood drive, a figure organizers hope to surpass. You can use County time to give blood if you ask your supervisor for approval in advance.
The donations are critical to trauma patients or people who suffer from life-threatening blood disorders like aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia and leukemia.
“We don’t know when anyone is going to need blood. People could need blood for so many different reasons,” said Juan Olmeda, a border health assistant at the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) who needed blood transfusions when he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009. Olmeda required a bone marrow transplant from his sister in order to survive.
His diagnosis rendered Olmeda unable to donate his blood, something he had been doing for years. Instead, Olmeda asked his two children and some friends to donate blood in his name.
“It’s a way to give something to the community,” said Olmeda, whose office has been spearheading the blood drive for the past nine years. “It’s free and everybody can give it because we all have blood.”
Donors of all blood types are needed. Up to three people can make use your one blood donation.
“Donating blood is such a powerful act, and really embodies the spirit of Live Well, San Diego!, the County’s regional wellness initiative” said Nick Macchione, HHSA director. “When County employees give blood, they are supporting a healthier, safer and more thriving San Diego County.”
You can make an appointment on line or walk-in. The list of dates and locations is below.
County Administration Center, Wednesday, April 3, from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
North County Regional Complex, Tuesday, April 9, from 9 am to 2 pm.
County Operations Center – Overland, Wednesday, April 10, from 9 am to 2:30 pm.
County Health & Human Services, Lemon Grove, Tuesday, April 16, from 11:30 am to 2 pm.
HHSA/PHS California Children Services, Tuesday, April 16, from 7 to 9:30 am
Health Services Complex, Friday, April 19, from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
County Health & Human Services, Chula Vista, Thursday, April 25, from 9 am to 2 pm.