February 2021 Philanthropy Update
San Diego Blood Bank is excited to announce that after several years of hard work and diligence, our laboratory is now College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accredited! This is the highest rating of quality and excellence a clinical laboratory can achieve. While San Diego Blood Bank is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide, it is only one of only 10 blood banks in the entire United States to receive this recognition. SDBB is proud to be able to offer the highest quality blood collection and distribution services to the San Diego community.
SDBB’s financial donors play a big part in our success by ensuring SDBB has the necessary resources to provide lifesaving programs and services such as bloodmobiles, blood collection supplies, and Trima Systems -- a state-of-the-art blood collection system that separates whole blood into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. These are just a few examples of the critical resources financial gifts provide. We truly could not provide a robust blood supply to our community without your support.
The Visionary Circle, SDBB’s monthly financial giving program, is a convenient and affordable way to provide steady funding for our lifesaving services, and it’s not too late to join the 70-in-70 campaign to help us reach our goal of 70 new monthly financial donors by March 30th. Annual benefits include behind-the-scenes tours, monthly wellness tips and exclusive access to SDBB’s quarterly webinar series: Connect to Life, that features Team Survivors, a sneak peek behind the scenes at SDBB, a day in the life of SDBB’s Bloodmobile, Labs and Hospital Services Teams, and more.
Thank you for your commitment to San Diego Blood Bank, your support truly impacts life!
With gratitude,
David Wellis, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Sherry Serio
Vice President of Development
february is heart health month
Did you know donating blood is good for your heart?
A healthier heart and vascular system
Regular blood donation is linked to lower blood pressure and a lower risk for heart attacks
A happier, longer life
People usually donate because it feels good to help others, and altruism and volunteering have been linked to positive health outcomes, including a lower risk for depression and greater longevity*
A mini-physical
When you donate blood, you will receive a health screening to determine if you are able to donate blood
*Information Source: New York Presbyterian and American Psychological Association
SDBB is also testing each blood donation for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (learn more). This is not a diagnostic test and will not detect active COVID-19 infections or recent exposure. Please read all COVID-19 blood donation restrictions related to symptoms, exposure, vaccinations and travel outside California here.
To be eligible to donate blood you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 114 pounds and be in general good health. Appointments are required and available by visiting sandiegobloodbank.org or by calling (619) 400-8251.
A Safe and healthy valentine’s day
Valentine’s Day during a pandemic doesn’t sound fun, but there are a number of creative and safe ways to celebrate. A recent article by Michael Merschel of American Heart Association News, tells romantics not to despair, and includes advice from doctors, and nutrition and food scientists. For ideas on how to have a safe and healthy Valentine’s Day, read the full article here.
team survivor
parker
Parker was diagnosed with a rare muscle disease just before his 3rd birthday. Just before his 12th birthday he was diagnosed with heart failure due to his Desminopathy.
Just after his 13th birthday, his heart failure became very rapid, which required that he stay in the hospital for 95 days total in late 2020.
During his stays he had several cardioversions, surgery to place a life-saving LVAD (left ventricular assist device) and finally, on Halloween he received the gift of a new heart.
During these stays Parker received at least 33 units of blood. Parker is now recovering at home, but we know that he wouldn’t be here without blood donors.
donor spotlight
Madison Draper
On March 5th Madison Draper will set out on the 4x4x48 running challenge where she will run 4 miles, every 4 hours, for 48 hours- totaling 48 miles in two days! She has 12 routes to run around San Diego and is asking for your help to sponsor a route with a donation of $50-$100 that will be donated to SDBB! Madison was inspired to raise funds for SDBB because her father was a 9-gallon blood donor before he passed away. Help her reach her goal of $1,000 by sponsoring one of her routes!
For more information and to donate, visit: https://forms.gle/A7MQAiDTMkFVBNfp6
join Sdbb’s visionary circle
monthly giving program!
SDBB's Visionary Circle is an exclusive membership of financial donors who commit to a monthly financial gift of any amount, and our goal is to welcome 70 new donors to the Visionary Circle by March 30, 2021. Those who become a Visionary Circle member at any level before March 30th will get a free one-year subscription to San Diego Magazine! Will you help us reach our goal?
The monthly financial support of our Visionary Circle members funds critical blood collection resources such as new bloodmobiles, blood bags and supplies, and new Trima systems - a state-of-the-art blood collection system that separates whole blood into red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. We truly could not provide a robust blood supply to our community without your support.
Small amounts create big change! A monthly gift of only $10.00 (35¢ per day), funds one blood bag to collect one blood donation - saving up to 3 lives. In one year, that is 12 units of blood SDBB can collect and provide for 36 patients per year who need lifesaving blood to survive. Every monthly financial gift, big or small, helps ensure the steady supply of vital blood products and services.
Financial donors impact every aspect of SDBB’s mission, from funding critical resources for blood transfusions, to advancing research, together, we give life and hope for the thousands of patients we impact every year. Without you, it would not be possible.
For more information about the Visionary Circle and the impact monthly giving makes to providing lifesaving services to the community, please contact Lauren Torres, Development Manager, at ltorres@sandiegobloodbank.org or 619-400-8185.
special thanks
On January 22, Las Patronas hosted a community blood drive and presented a check for $73,000 to San Diego Blood Bank to provide closing funding for the purchase of a new bloodmobile. Las Patronas has supported SDBB for 27 years and has donated over $274,000. They have funded other bloodmobiles, equipment, and contributed towards SDBB’s disaster readiness fund in the past. We truly value our longtime partnership with Las Patronas and look forward to serving the community together!
Featured Funding Priority
Five new Trima Accel® Automated Blood Collection Systems
Trima Accel® Automated Blood Collection Systems (Trima systems, pictured above with Drew) enable blood donors to give the gift of life in the form of plasma, platelets and red blood cells. These vital apheresis systems collect, spin and separate donor whole blood into transfusable blood components in real-time through a safe, closed-loop system. Blood components that are not needed are returned to the blood donor, resulting in less fluid loss and more specialized blood products for specific patient needs.
Your gift invests in state-of-the-art technology and will enable SDBB to collect more blood products and save more lives.
SDBB in the News
SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK LABORATORY RECEIVES ACCREDITATION
FROM COLLEGE OF AMERICAN PATHOLOGISTS
After several years of hard work and diligence, SDBB’s laboratory is now ‘CAP Accredited’! This is the highest rating of quality and excellence a clinical laboratory can achieve.
SDBB’s Chief Medical Officer Mark Edmunds, MD, was advised of this national recognition and congratulated for the excellence of the services being provided. While San Diego Blood Bank is one of more than 8,000 CAP-accredited facilities worldwide and is one of only 10 blood banks in the entire United States to receive this recognition.
Upon learning of the laboratory’s accreditation, San Diego Blood Bank CEO David Wellis, PhD, said: “I'm incredibly proud of our team who really pulled together to contribute to this success. It’s a huge accomplishment, and an honor. I’m especially impressed they accomplished this during such an incredibly difficult year.”
The U.S. federal government recognizes the CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program, begun in the early 1960s, as being equal-to or more-stringent-than the government’s own inspection program. During the CAP accreditation process, designed to ensure the highest standard of care for all laboratory patients, inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. CAP inspectors also examine laboratory staff qualifications, equipment, facilities, safety program and record, and overall management.
About the College of American Pathologists
As the world’s largest organization of board-certified pathologists and leading provider of laboratory accreditation and proficiency testing programs, the College of American Pathologists (CAP) serves patients, pathologists, and the public by fostering and advocating excellence in the practice of pathology and laboratory medicine worldwide. For more information, read the CAP Annual Report at cap.org.
health and Wellness
Formal garden at The Water Conservation Garden
During this challenging time, exploring outdoor spaces is a great way to reinvigorate both mind and body. One great space to explore is The Water Conservation Garden in East County.
East County’s hidden gem, The Water Conservation Garden is a 6-acre site of winding trails, a babbling stream and beauty all around. Located next to Cuyamaca Community College, The Garden inspires and educates its visitors to take time to relax, rejuvenate and conserve water all at the same time.
The beautiful water-saving demonstration garden showcases a variety of garden vignettes that add beauty and inspiration for your own home. As you wander the grounds, you will discover fun, whimsical and practical solutions to your landscape needs. The Garden is also the home of Ms. Smarty-Plants™, the fun-loving teacher who believes experiential learning is the way to go.
The Garden offers many DIY workshops - both virtual and on-site - for the home gardener as well as workshops for those who are crafty, such as mosaic bird baths or even cheese making! For those who are looking for a little exercise, try one of “Yoga in The Garden” sessions.
The Garden is a wonderful and safe space for kids, offering a children’s trail complete with dinosaur footprints, a research hut, and a tractor to sit in! Come give yourself, your family, and your senses a treat! Visit www.thegarden.org for more information.
Stay Safe
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country and the world, we all must remain vigilant. The changes we have had to make to routines and daily life are extremely hard, but these changes are even more important now and in the future. The more steps you and your family can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the safer you will be.
The CDC has recommendations on how to slow the spread, how to protect yourself when going out, and much more. Learn more. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/need-to-know.html
shop. donate. save lives!
While shopping for gifts or everyday essentials, you can also support the San Diego Blood Bank! Here are a few sites you can use to find those perfect gifts while donating to SDBB to support our life-saving efforts.
Visit smile.amazon.com and sign in with your Amazon.com credentials. Choose SDBB as the charitable organization to receive donation and start shopping! AmazonSmile can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones.
Register and choose San Diego Blood Bank as your charity of choice. Then use their search engine to find what you’re looking for and click through to a retailer's site to make your purchase, part of which will go to SDBB.
iGive: This works almost the same way, but you use a button on various retailers' websites. Go through the iGive.com easy registration process and choose The San Diego Blood Bank Foundation. Your favorite retailers will start supporting SDBB.
Ways to Make a financial gift
MONTHLY GIVING — 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.
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 619-400-8188 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.
COMMUNITY AND DIY FUNDRAISING — Partner with SDBB and fundraise with your company or team or for your birthday with a Facebook fundraiser! Contact Lauren Torres, Development Manager, at ltorres@sdbb.org.
CHANGEUP — Sign up on changeupforcharity.com, choose San Diego Blood Bank and Changeup will round up your purchases and donate the spare change to SDBB.
To learn more about the many ways in which SDBB’s lifesaving work has impacted the health of our community, see our 2019/2020 Impact Report.
HELPFUL LINKS
SUBSCRIBE
Don’t miss out on special events, philanthropy updates, news, announcements and more by joining the Foundation’s mailing list.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 information.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.
