March Philanthropy Update
We value our financial donors and are grateful for your financial investment to fuel our mission of saving lives. Without you, we would not be able to provide critical resources, such as bloodmobiles, to ensure a robust blood supply for our community.
The impact of COVID-19 is unprecedented. School closures and work-from-home policies have resulted in canceled blood drives, leaving local hospitals on the verge of a serious shortage. San Diego Blood Bank collects more than half of its blood supply on bloodmobiles. An additional strain on the blood supply is expected in the coming weeks.
San Diego Blood Bank’s top priority is the safety, health and well-being of our blood donors and staff. We are committed to supporting a healthy and safe blood supply for our community during this challenging time.
We recently issued a critical plea for blood and the response has been amazing. Our appointments are full for this week! We will need people to continue to donate in the coming weeks and are asking the community to make appointments now so we can be prepared.
We would like to keep you informed about how SDBB is responding to the critical need for blood in the coming weeks.
Enjoy this month’s newsletter. Philanthropy is an investment in life — we appreciate your lifesaving partnership.
With gratitude,
David Wellis, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sherry Serio
Vice President of Development
TEAM SURVIVOR
At 42 years old, HAERO found out she had a blood clot in her lower leg. A few weeks after her diagnosis, due to complications with her medication, she was in need of an emergency blood transfusion. After her humbling experience, she now realizes the importance of donating blood, and wants to encourage others to become donors as well.
“I received a blood transfusion six months ago, and it literally was lifesaving and life changing. It was a humbling experience. I am just addended I waited until I needed blood to try and come to San Diego Blood Bank to give back. So if you can come to SDBB and donate blood, volunteer, give financially…any way you give back to help people would be amazing. You’re not just saving lives, you’re changing lives.”
FEATURED SPONSOR
Thank you, Gillispie School
Thank you to Gillispie School for hosting your annual Grade 3 Blood Drive and Bake Sale in February! The 44 pints of blood collected will impact up to 132 patient lives. The $4,092.07 raised from the bake sale will help purchase a Trima system (allowing us to collect more platelets to support cancer patients).
On March 9, Gillispie School presented a giant check with smiling faces to San Diego Blood Bank's Sherry Serio, Vice President of Foundation. For the last decade, Gillispie School has been a generous partner in saving lives with 423 total pints of blood collected and more than $27,000 raised to support SDBB.
We are grateful for everyone who donated blood, provided baked goods, and purchased treats from the bake sale. Together, we save lives.
Click here to watch the short video captured by KUSI News from the check presentation.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Learn more on San Diego Blood Bank’s Blog here: COVID-19 Updates: Blood Donations Urgently Needed
DONOR HIGHLIGHT
Jennifer Ortega (Cell Therapy), Cherryl Castro-Lector (Foundation), Sara Neveu (Cell Therapy), Kirstin Peters (Cell Therapy), and John Howard enjoyed a tour of SDBB’s Cell Therapy Department and Program in February.
John is a volunteer, platelet donor, financial supporter dedicated to the future of a public cord blood bank and a valued member of the SDBB family.
John Howard is no stranger to San Diego Blood Bank. For nearly 20 years, John has devoted his time and efforts as a volunteer, blood donor, and financial supporter. John recently met with the staff of the Cell Therapy Department and took a VIP tour of the Public Cord Blood Bank, an aspect of the organization that he is deeply passionate about.
SDBB collaborates with San Diego and Southern California hospitals to collect cord blood and cord tissue after the birth of a healthy full-term baby. Dr. Rob Tressler, Vice President of Laboratories, shared his thoughts on John’s support for this initiative. Thank you so much, John, for continuing to invest in SDBB!
“John Howard’s generous donations to San Diego Blood Bank’s Cell Therapy Department has supported the purchase of new equipment and supplies critical to the department’s mission of managing a Public Cord Blood Bank.
The Public Cord Blood Bank generates cell therapies and saves the lives of those in need of bone marrow transplants. It also supports the research that Cell Therapy participates in to develop new treatments for disease.”
HEALTH & WELLNESS
March is National Nutrition Month! Here are some tips to incorporate a nutrient-dense diet that promotes health.
Image Source: National Nutrition Month® - https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month
Tips to Boost Your Immunity and Navigate a Plant-Based Diet for Optimal Nutrition
Source: Businesswire
The quest to achieve a healthy lifestyle and boost one’s immunity continues to motivate consumers to experiment with new food and health trends. During National Nutrition Month, Nicole Avena, PhD, nutrition expert and author of “What to Eat When You’re Pregnant” provides recommendations on ways to power up your immune system and offers insights on popular diets.
“In general, diets are hard to stick to because our food environment makes it virtually impossible to eat healthy. As new diets continuously emerge, it can be challenging to interpret legitimacy,” says Dr. Nicole Avena. “You don’t want to start a diet like keto if you are trying to keep your immune system in check. However, plant-based eating can be healthy, because plants have a lot of nutrients and are usually low in calories.”
Dr. Avena provides the following tips:
Start a plant-based diet slowly. Have one plant-based meal per day as a start, then move onto tackling other parts of your diet as you get more comfortable. Studies have shown that switching to a plant-based diet can help improve health, such as reducing cardiovascular disease. Just realize that all plant-based foods aren’t created equal, especially if you opt for plant-based junk foods, like corn chips and French fries. Consider plant-based alternatives to your favorite things, like plant-based butter, cheese, and even sausage.
Take it easy. Stress is a sure way to compromise your immune system. Be sure that you are taking care of yourself and making time to rest and restore in order to keep your stress levels at a minimum.
Boost your Immunity. Supplementing your diet with Vitamin C is a great way to ward off colds and flu. We don’t typically get enough Vitamin C from our diets alone, so a supplement is often the best way to go.
Fuel your body with proper foods. Eating a well-balanced, healthy diet is the best way to ensure you keep your immune system in check. Citrus fruits aren’t the only food you should turn to keep your immune system strong — red bell peppers, broccoli, garlic, ginger and spinach are all great options. A balanced diet with lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, vegetables, fruits and unsaturated fats will help you stay satiated, while also allowing for nutritional variety.
Nicole Avena, Ph.D., is a research neuroscientist and a pioneer in the field of food and nutrition. Her 'wellness series' is for those wanting to improve eating behaviors & nutrition. Read more.
FEATURED FUNDING PRIORITY
Campaign for life
Funding 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.
Bloodmobiles are critical to maintaining the supply of blood needed for local patients and can impact up to 21,000 lives each year. Your generous gift will support our fundraising goal of $1.35M and fuel the design, construction, and purchase of three new bloodmobiles.
To date, SDBB has raised more than $408,000 from individuals, corporations and community partners to reach 30% of our goal.
Special thank you to our financial partners — San Diego County Supervisors, Kristin Gaspar and Nathan Fletcher, The Morrison & Foerster Foundation, Barona Resort & Casino, and GEICO who helped launch Campaign for Life with their generous gifts.
MONTHLY GIVING
Did you know that you can join our Visionary Circle by making a monthly gift to help sustain SDBB for the next 70 years? Monthly gifts fund SDBB’s annual greatest need. This year’s greatest need is to purchase three new bloodmobiles.
Visionary Circle Recurring Gifts:
$15/monthly — For just 50 cents a day, you can save up to 10 lives per month and impact up to 120 cancer patients per year who need lifesaving platelets during chemotherapy treatments.
$25/monthly — For just 83 cents a day, you can save up to 16 lives per month and impact up to 199 patients per year who need plasma to treat a burn or serious trauma.
$60/monthly — For just $2 a day, you can save up to 40 lives per month and impact up to 480 patients per year who need regular blood transfusions for anemia and rare blood disorders.
Or choose a gift level that meets your personal giving interest and make an impact every day.
Experience a SDBB Tour
Learn about how philanthropy fuels blood donation and helps to advance health through cell therapy, research and precision blood. Reserve your spot on one of our monthly tours at SDBB Headquarters and learn how your gift impacts life by contacting Cherryl Castro-Lector, Development Manager at cclector@sdbb.org.
2018/2019 Impact Report
Click here or the image below to view SDBB’s 2018/2019 Impact Report!
SDBB NEWS
GIFTS OF STOCK — Did you know San Diego Blood Bank Foundation accepts appreciated gifts of stock with tax benefits for the donor? For more information on how to donate your stock, please contact Sherry Serio, Vice President of Development, at 619-400-8818 or sserio@sdbb.org.
MATCHING GIFTS — Ask your employer if your company has an employee matching program. Double your impact and encourage corporate giving to local nonprofits like SDBB.
GIVE WHEN YOU SHOP ON AMAZON — Did you know that you can give back to SDBB when you shop Amazon at smile.amazon.com? Choose SDBB as your preferred charity and The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases directly to SDBB. Learn more.
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 Castro-Lector, Development Manager at cclector@sdbb.org.
SHARE YOUR STORY — Have you received a blood transfusion? Do you donate blood? Are you a grateful patient with a story share? We want to hear from you! Share your story with our team and help spread awareness of the importance of blood donation and SDBB’s mission to save lives. Contact Claudine Van Gonka, Public Relations Manager at cvangonka@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.
COMMUNITY AND DIY FUNDRAISING — Partner with SDBB and fundraise with your company, team or for a special event and give back to SDBB! Donate your birthday with a Facebook fundraiser or join our SDBB Ambassador program to help crowdfund the purchase of three new bloodmobiles. To learn more, click here and/or contact Alexandria Embleton at aembleton@sdbb.org.
COVID-19 UPDATES — Stay informed about COVID-19 and San Diego Blood Bank. http://www.sandiegobloodbank.org/covid19
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 for #NationalBloodDonorMonth and save lives.AMAZON SMILE
Set San Diego Blood Bank as your charity on Amazon.Smile and Amazon gives when you shop!FINANCIAL INFORMATION
View our tax ID or important financial informationCONTACT 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.
