On Wednesday, Jan. 9, the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired – in conjunction with Lions Center for the Blind, Orientation Center for the Blind, and Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired – will join with the American Red Cross to hold a one-day blood drive.
The inaugural “Day of Giving” blood drive will be held at eight locations throughout the Bay Area and LightHouse considers it an opportunity for the blind community and its constituents to honor the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service by rallying together in support of the local blood supply.
“Often in the past people have thought of the blind as a group who are the recipients of others’ generosity,” said Bryan Bashin, CEO of the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind. “We’re hoping to change a bit of that perception by rolling up our sleeves and giving back to the same philanthropic community who has long helped us.”
The winter months are traditionally a difficult time for the Red Cross to collect blood. Vacations, illnesses and inclement weather work together to prevent regular blood donors from giving this time of year.
“During winter, we really rely on local organizations stepping up to help ensure that blood is available year-round,” American Red Cross Northern California Blood Services Region CEO Jeff Meyer said. “The blind community’s willingness to sponsor an entire day’s worth of blood collection speaks to its passion for community service and desire to help others.”
Mobile blood drives will be held on Jan. 9 from noon to 5 p.m. at each of the following three locations:
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Orientation Center for the Blind
400 Adams Street, Albany
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2470 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
And to make it as convenient as possible to participate, members of the blind community also are invited to donate blood at the five Red Cross blood donation centers in the Bay Area (Oakland, Pleasant Hill, Pleasanton, Newark and San Jose).
“This is truly an exciting and unprecedented event for the entire Bay Area blind community and its constituents,” said John Liang, director of community and volunteer services at San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind. “It’s an opportunity to honor Dr. King by mobilizing the blind and sighted communities into a more unified and synergistic alliance with a shared, singular goal: to give back via a potentially life-saving contribution to the greater-community that has been so incredibly altruistic, solicitous, and charitable to our blind community for so many years.”
Though sponsored and hosted by the blind community, the blood drive is not exclusive to its members and all eligible donors are welcome to join in on Jan. 9 and give blood at one of the nine locations listed above.
Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at blog.redcross.org.
What: Blind and Visually Impaired Community’s “Day of Giving” Blood Drive
When: Wednesday, Jan. 9 from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: All eight of the following locations:
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Orientation Center for the Blind
400 Adams Street, Albany
Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
2470 El Camino Real, Palo Alto
American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers
6230 Claremont Avenue, Oakland
140 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill
5556-B Springfield Avenue, Pleasanton
39227 Cedar Boulevard, Newark
2731 N. First Street, San Jose
