November Philanthropy Update
Celebrate the Season of Giving
The season of giving is here! Thank you for your commitment to San Diego Blood Bank.
Philanthropy fuels our mission—from funding lifesaving blood collections and state-of-the-art equipment to supporting research innovation in cell therapy and Precision Blood™ programs. Together we advance health.
Our passion is to connect people to the gift of life. We are grateful for our financial donors, like you, who invest in life for patients to live longer, healthier and more meaningful lives.
Philanthropy is an investment in life – thank you for your partnership!
With gratitude,
David Wellis, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sherry Serio
Vice President of Development
TEAM SURVIVORS
Chance & Cadence
Philanthropy gives the gift of life.
Cadence and Chance were both born with multiple congenital heart defects. Because of SDBB’s generous financial and blood donors, this brother and sister duo have been able to grow up to see a bright future and enjoy an active life full of their favorite hobbies—skateboarding and golf!
Since Chance and Cadence were little, they have been visiting and thanking San Diego Blood Bank donors. As a family, they share their story and why it’s so important to donate blood. Cadence needs surgeries every five or six years and there is always the threat of an emergency surgery that could come at any time. Supporters like you have made a big impact on their lives.
FEATURED SPONSOR
Thank you to Barona Resort & Casino for your $10,000 gift in support of Campaign for Life that will help fund three new bloodmobiles. We are grateful for your partnership and commitment to saving lives.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
SDBB cares about the health of our community. This month we highlight Prostate Cancer Awareness and Men’s Health. The Movember Foundation states that across the world, men die an average six years younger than women, and for reasons that are largely preventable. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the US. Know the facts and take action early. Check out their top five tips below:
1. Spend time with people who make you feel good.
Stay connected. Your friends are important and spending time with them is good for you. Catch up regularly, check in and make time.
2. Talk, more.
You don’t need to be an expert and you don’t have to be the sole solution, but being there for someone, listening and giving your time can be lifesaving.
3. Know the numbers.
At 50, talk to your doctor about prostate cancer and whether it’s right for you to have a PSA test. If you are African American or have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be having this conversation at 45. Know your numbers, know your risk, talk to your doctor.
4. Know [your body]. Simple.
Get to know what’s normal for your [body]. Check regularly and go to the doctor if something doesn’t feel right.
5. Move, more.
Add more activity to your day. Do more of what makes you feel good.
Take a walking meeting
Park further away from the station
Get off the bus a stop or two earlier
Instead of the elevator, take the stairs
Cycle to work instead of driving
(Image and Content Source: The Movember Foundation)
SDBB Research Partner Spotlight
Stratify Genomics Develops Prompt Prostate Genetic Score (PGS) with Support from SDBB
When Stratify needed a CLIA lab to develop Prompt, a prostate cancer screening tool, they turned to San Diego Blood Bank. SDBB was the bridge needed to go from research to the clinical lab. SDBB provided space and regulatory expertise to enable Stratify to develop and launch their Prompt screening tool.
“We are most grateful for the collaboration and assistance provided to us by everyone at the San Diego Blood Bank in launching Prompt PGS. Their support and guidance contributed to the success in making our test commercially available and making a difference in the lives of men.”
LIFESAVING BLOOD FACTS
Every 5 minutes a San Diego area hospital patient receives a blood transfusion supplied by a SDBB blood donor
When you donate blood, your body immediately begins to restore the blood that was given
A newborn baby has about one cup of blood in its body
32,000 pints: amount of donated blood used each day in the U.S.
A patient could be forced to pass up a lifesaving organ, if compatible blood is not available to support the transplant
FEATURED FUNDING PRIORITY
CAMPAIGN FOR LIFE – THREE NEW BLOODMOBILES
Invest in life and partner with SDBB by making an annual, monthly or one-time gift in support of the Campaign for Life.
The new bloodmobiles feature an improved design which creates a more comfortable donor experience and will play a vital role in ensuring the health of our community for years to come. Without the replacement of these bloodmobiles, our local blood supply will be impacted by the loss of 21,000 pints each year.
Bloodmobiles are critical to maintaining the supply of blood needed for patients like Chance and Cadence. Your generous gift will support our milestone fundraising goal of $300,000 by January 2020 to begin the design and construction of three new bloodmobiles with an overall goal of $1,350,000 to complete the purchase of these bloodmobiles.
MEET CHERRYL
Cherryl Castro-Lector joined SDBB Foundation in June 2019 as a Development Manager. In addition to meeting with financial donors, preparing grant proposals, coordinating tours and cultivation events, financial donors may have received a phone call from Cherryl expressing gratitude for philanthropic gifts. Cherryl brings her passion and more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to SDBB.
From cultural preservation to museum administration, her background has enabled her to evolve into a conscientious and thoughtful leader. Cherryl has held development, marketing, communications and curatorial positions at several arts and culture institutions, namely, The San Diego Museum of Art, The Philippine Library and Historical Heritage Museum, The New Children’s Museum, and the San Diego Archaeological Center. Cherryl is a strong supporter of developing and sustaining partnerships that promote healthy and vibrant communities.
What do you do for SDBB Foundation? What will you bring to SDBB’s giving community?
As Development Manager, I am responsible for launching a comprehensive annual giving and major gift strategic fundraising program that will generate new revenue for the SDBB Foundation. I serve as a liaison across the organization and articulate San Diego Blood Bank’s initiatives to potential financial donors. Overall, I play a strategic role in executing our Mission: Saving lives with quality blood services in partnership with the community and enhancing community health through research, education, and personalized wellness. I bring to the organization and its supporters over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector acquired through involvement in a diverse range of organizations.
Do you have a particular passion for the work we do here at SDBB? What makes you excited about the work you're doing?
I am blessed to have many family members and friends who work in the medical profession; it is extremely helpful to have someone to turn to for advice! Growing up, I knew I wasn’t going to become a pharmacist like my mom, or even a nurse like my mother-in-law; however, I was certain that one day I would find myself working in some capacity in the healthcare field. Many years later, as an established fundraiser, my goal is to raise funds and awareness for this important community organization and for those who rely on us to survive.
Tell us about someone who has influenced you in your life. Who are they and what did they teach you?
During my professional development, I was fortunate to have been mentored by, not one, but four amazing women who have supported and encouraged me through the years. I am so thankful for the guidance provided by Mary Andersen, Stephanie Casenza, Brenda Regier, and Felicia Shaw. The following words come to mind whenever I think about my mentors: diligence, persistence, perseverance, respect, and understanding. Without my mentors, I would not be where I am today.
What is something unique about yourself that you’d like to share with SDBB’s giving community?
I love meeting and getting to know new people. I learned that everyone has a story to tell, and when given the opportunity, people will share what is on their minds and in their hearts. As a development professional, it is important to make a connection with people and help them to discover how they can best serve their communities. People can choose to be involved with an organization as financial donors, volunteers, or advocates for the cause. I enjoy establishing vital connections between SDBB and those who are passionate about our Mission.
How can someone new to charitable giving or new to supporting the blood bank get involved with SDBB Foundation?
Anyone interested in making financial contributions to San Diego Blood Bank can contact me anytime! Making your important gift is quick and simple. Through the Visionary and Leadership Circles, we offer our financial supporters the chance to divide recurring donations into manageable installments throughout the year. We are thankful to those who sustain SDBB with their monthly financial donations!
The best way for anyone to learn about our operations is to attend one of our monthly tours at SDBB Headquarters. Tours are led by CEO David Wellis, Ph.D. and Vice President of Labs and Research Dr. Rob Tressler. Visitors have the opportunity to view the different areas of the facility and see what occurs beyond blood donations. Our special guests get to see how blood is processed, stored, and prepared for shipping to one of our 49 hospital partners. One thing you’ll realize from the start is that SDBB is a well-oiled machine! There’s so much to learn and see and I would be more than happy to take visitors through headquarters for a special behind-the-scenes tour.
Fun facts about Cherryl
Cherryl resides in Chula Vista with her husband and their two young children. They enjoy visiting San Diego’s diverse art and science museums and institutions, theme parks, and exploring their hometown.
Cherryl received her certification in Nonprofit Management at the USD School of Leadership and Educational Sciences (SOLES), certification in Grant Proposal Writing from SDSU, and Fundraising Certification through National University’s Sanford Institute of Philanthropy. Cherryl received her BA in Art History at SDSU.
Cherryl was recently named a Rising Star by the Phil Am Business Improvement and Development Organization.
Cherryl was recognized by The San Diego Foundation as a Rising Arts Leader among the new generation of nonprofit administrators and is a past grant recipient of the leadership program.
Save the Date
#GIVINGTUESDAY is December 3rd this year!
Mark your calendar to join the global movement to support charity organizations. Plan your gift to support San Diego Blood Bank’s need for bloodmobiles and help us reach out #GivingTuesday goal of $15,000!
SDBB NEWS
EXPERIENCE A SDBB TOUR – Reserve your spot on one of our monthly behind-the-scenes tours at SDBB and learn how your gift impacts life. Contact Cherryl at cclector@sdbb.org.
DONATE YOUR BLOOD DONOR POINTS BACK TO SDBB – There are many ways to support SDBB’s critical needs by donating back blood donor reward points to SDBB! Your donated points will help support the critical need for three new bloodmobiles, seven new Trima systems and provide supplies for your favorite donor center. Double your impact from the donor store at mysdbb.org.
HELPFUL LINKS
SUBSCRIBE
Don’t miss out on special events, philanthropy updates, news, announcements and more by joining the Foundation’s mailing list.DONATE BLOOD
Make an appointment to donate blood and save lives.AMAZON SMILE
Set San Diego Blood Bank as your charity on Amazon.Smile and Amazon gives when you shop!CONTACT FOUNDATION
Send us a note with any questions about SDBB Foundation, ways to make a gift, or how to get involved.
THANK YOU TO OUR TOP SPONSORS
NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE
In partnership with our community, San Diego Blood Bank Foundation is the fundraising entity that supports critical resources for blood donations, advances San Diego Blood Bank’s critical healthcare role, and fuels collaboration with cutting-edge research and clinical organizations to advance cell therapy and precision medicine.
