July/August 2023 Philanthropy Update
Blood recipient Ella with a superhero blood donor at Comic-Con’s 47th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive.
Dear Friend,
San Diego Blood Bank is grateful to the blood donors who donated at Comic-Con’s 47th Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive. Together, we collected more than 2,385 units of lifesaving blood to help ensure a robust supply for our hospital partners and patients in need. Thanks to Comic-Con for their long-time partnership, to our blood and financial donors, and our dedicated staff and volunteers for making this annual event a tremendous success. We are overwhelmed by their tireless efforts and continuous support!
I would like to announce a new and exciting fundraising campaign that supports our blood distribution efforts. Help SDBB restock our inventory of coolers needed to transport lifesaving blood to our hospital partners. With soaring summer temperatures, it is critical we have quality, insulated coolers to transport blood. Your $55 gift will fund a new cooler that will transport the gift of life.
Please consider being a part of this campaign and helping us keep the blood moving.
For any questions, or to discuss how your philanthropy supports the health and wellbeing of our community, please feel free to contact me at cclector@sandiegobloodbank.org or (619)400-8214.
I hope that you are enjoying your summer!
All my best,
Cherryl
Cherryl Castro-Lector
Director of Development
(619) 400-8214
cclector@sdbb.org
over 2,385 units of blood collected
at 47th annual Comic-Con® Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive
More than 2,385 units of blood were collected at the 47th Annual Comic-Con Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive this week. The drive ran Wednesday, July 19 through today at the Manchester Grand Hyatt with all donors receiving a limited-edition Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 t-shirt.
“We are extremely thankful to the donors and our partners at Comic-Con for their support in making this drive successful for the 47th year in a row” said San Diego Blood Bank CEO, Doug Morton. “The generosity and commitment shown by these superheroes who donated blood at this drive will save many lives throughout the summer.”
Anyone who donates blood at any San Diego Blood Bank donation location or mobile blood drive July 24 - August 31, 2023 will receive the limited-edition Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3T-shirt (while supplies last).
Since 1976, The Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive has hosted this drive in partnership with the COMIC-CON® convention. Over the past 47 years, donors at Comic-Con have donated over 65,210 pints of blood, potentially impacting more than 195,630 lives.
SUMMER COOLER CAMPAIGN
Blood recipient Mason receiving blood during a treatment for Crohn’s disease.
Help San Diego Blood Bank restock our inventory of coolers needed to transport lifesaving blood to our hospital partners for patients in need. With soaring summer temperatures, it is critical we have quality, insulated coolers to transport blood. Your $55 gift will fund a new cooler - like the one pictured with Mason above - that will transport the gift of life.
The need for blood at our local hospitals is always there, so help us keep the blood moving so it is on the shelves when you, your loved ones and everyone in the community needs it.
special thanks
Special thanks to the Cushman Foundation and the David C. Copley Foundation for their recent grants to support our Precision Blood™ program. SDBB’s Precision Blood™ process uses an innovative approach that brings greater precision to transfusion medicine through state-of-the-art genotyping technology. SDBB is expanding our inventory of rare blood to help us more accurately match blood types in donors and recipients, resulting in fewer complications. We have proven the concept that we can find rare blood types and better match them to potential blood recipients.
With the support of the Cushman Foundation and the David C. Copley Foundation, SDBB is moving to Phase two of the program to demonstrate this on a larger scale, conduct clinical trials, and improve the standard of care in transfusion medicine.
For more information about Precision Blood™ and how you can support this important program, contact Cherryl Castro-Lector, Director of Development, at cclector@sdbb.org or (619) 400-8214
Meet team survivor colton
Colton was diagnosed with the most common form of childhood cancer, ALL (Acute lymphocytic leukemia), at just 14 months old. He had a bone marrow transplant after relapsing 26 months into treatment and just 2 months before he was set to finish chemotherapy. He has had well over 50 blood and platelet transfusions due to intensive chemotherapy as part of his treatment.
While he has persevered through it all with a smile and lots of energy, it hasn’t been an easy road, as his days have consisted of IV chemo, surgeries, pulses of steroids, more than three dozen lumbar punctures, numerous bone marrow aspirations, twice daily blood thinning injections, liver disease and multiple extended inpatient hospital stays.
Colton loves anything with wheels, music, and his dog and his family continues to host blood drives in his honor.
featured partner
Since the establishment of SDBB in 1950, the County of San Diego has been an invaluable partner in our efforts to provide the community with a safe and reliable blood supply. From providing funds for bloodmobiles and other vital equipment, to holding annual month-long blood drives at their locations for nearly 40 years, the County has provided the support necessary to serve all of San Diego with blood services. Their support also extends to their proactive approach to help amplify our messaging about the importance of blood donations to meet the needs of our community. We are grateful to the County of San Diego for their long-time partnership and commitment to our mission to save lives.
Corporate Partnership Opportunities
SDBB is grateful to our corporate partners who are passionate about saving and improving the lives of the patients we serve. They host blood drives, their employees volunteer and give blood, and they give financially to help support our greatest needs such as a new bloodmobile, lab equipment, blood collection supplies, and research.
We work with companies and organizations to create mutually beneficial partnership opportunities, and there are many ways to support our work, including:
Make a corporate gift to support a specific need
Sponsor an event such as our Connect to Life receptions
Help fund a program such as Precision Blood™ or High School Blood Drive Challenge
Encourage employee volunteering
Make a gift in honor of employee volunteer hours
Provide a matching gift for an annual appeal
Conduct a point-of-sale or cash register round-up campaign
Fundraise for SDBB by hosting a gala, golf tournament, auction, run/walk, or other event that raises funds to benefit our mission
SDBB recognizes our corporate partners throughout the year in various digital and print channels, on our donor center digital displays (in six of our donor centers) and on our bloodmobiles!
For more information about corporate partnerships, please contact Susan Josephson, Development Manager, at sjosephson@sdbb.org or (619) 400-8320.
Planned Giving
Philanthropy is personal, and every donor has a unique “why” they give. There are many ways to make a planned gift such as stock, real estate, life insurance, will or living trust, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, and charitable lead trust. SDBB also has an endowment at the San Diego Foundation, and we welcome gifts to fund # 4727 (please include the fund number on your check).
For more information about how to contribute to SDBB’s endowment or create your legacy through planned giving to SDBB, please contact Cherryl Castro-Lector, Director of Development, at cclector@sdbb.org or (619) 400-8214.
2021/2022 Impact Report
We are pleased to share San Diego Blood Bank’s 2021/2022 Impact Report that highlights the impact of our blood collection and research services. Your support of our mission makes it possible for us to save lives and advance health in our community, and we are grateful for your partnership as a financial donor.
SDBB’s mission remains steadfast, and we appreciate your investment in helping ensure patients suffering from illness, injury or a life-threatening condition or disease receive lifesaving blood.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the impact of your support, please contact Cherryl Castro-Lector at 619-400-8214 or cclector@sandiegobloodbank.org.
Health and Wellness
Photo: (medicalert.org)
august is national Medic alert awareness Month
Not all medical bracelets are created equal and that’s why August has been designated as MedicAlert Awareness Month.
Are you a diabetic? Are you allergic to penicillin? Do you require certain life-saving medication in an emergency? Do you wish to invoke a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order under certain situations? MedicAlert can tell the doctors caring for you what they need to know. A medical ID can save precious time in diagnosing the reason for the emergency. It can also clue doctors in on any allergies the wearer has before administering medication or first aid. In an emergency, you may be unable to speak for yourself. A MedicAlert bracelet speaks for you – and may well make the difference in saving your life.
The MedicAlert Foundation has been around for over sixty years and today, the MedicAlert website provides useful information and resources for wearers of MedicAlert bracelets, their families, and the medical community. MedicAlert has affiliates in nine countries: the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
MedicAlert also works in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association, and has a national “emergency response service” for individuals with Alzheimer’s or dementia, at risk of becoming lost. If you’re interested in getting a Medic Alert bracelet for yourself or a family member, contact the Medic Alert Foundation at MedicAlert.org.
donate your unwanted vehicle
to san Diego Blood Bank
San Diego Blood Bank is partnering with Charitable Adult Rides and Services (CARS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit social enterprise owned by a nonprofit and supporting only nonprofits through vehicle donations. CARS takes care of everything, from the pick-up and sale, to sending you the donation receipt and necessary tax documents. CARS is committed to treating every vehicle donor with gratitude and great service while delivering the highest possible returns to our partners. To date, CARS has returned more than $300 million to their nonprofit partners because of vehicles donors.
Simply click HERE to complete the form, and CARS will reach out to you to arrange the pick-up of your vehicle donation, at no cost to you. You will make a difference in the lives of patients needing lifesaving blood and your generous gift could earn you a tax deduction.
Shop. Donate. Save lives!
While shopping for gifts or everyday essentials, you can also support 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.
GoodShop: 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 San Diego Blood Bank. 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’s mission. Monthly gifts fund SDBB’s annual greatest need. Contact Development Communications Manager Diane Owens at (619) 400-8336 or dowens@sdbb.org.
GIFTS OF STOCK — Did you know San Diego Blood Bank accepts appreciated gifts of stock with tax benefits for the donor? For more information on how to donate your stock, please contact Cherryl Castro-Lector, Director of Development, at (619) 400-8214 or cclector@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. Contact Development Manager Susan Josephson at (619) 400-8320 or sjosephson@sdbb.org.
COMMUNITY AND DIY FUNDRAISING — Partner with SDBB and fundraise with your company or team or for your birthday with a Facebook fundraiser! Contact Cherryl Castro-Lector, Director of Development, at 619-400-8214 or cclector@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.
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