Memorial Blood Centers Celebrates World Blood Donor Day
ST. PAUL, Minn., June 11, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memorial Blood Centers (MBC), among Minnesota's oldest and largest nonprofit community blood centers, will be joining other blood centers worldwide in celebrating World Blood Donor Day, June 14, 2012. Throughout the week of June 11, 2012, a special blood drop-shaped cookie—with sprinkles!—will be available to all volunteer donors who step up to make a blood donation at one of MBC's seven (7) donor centers across the greater metro area. This special treat is made possible thanks to the generosity of Cookie Cart—a major Memorial Blood Centers non-profit supplier that provides employment and leadership opportunities to youth through its North Minneapolis-based bakery operation.
Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as World Blood Donor Day, June 14th pays tribute to Karl Landsteiner, the founder of the blood group system used today to identify the three standard blood types: A, B, and O. The launch of this annual event took place on June 14, 2004 in Johannesburg, South Africa. This year's World Blood Donor Day global event will be hosted by the Republic of Korea.
"Memorial Blood Centers is pleased to join with our colleagues around the world in celebrating the thousands of generous volunteer blood donors who make a difference in the lives of others every time they give," said Wendy Capetz, Director, Marketing and Development, Memorial Blood Centers. "On this one special day, we also join with the WHO in encouraging a new generation of blood donors to follow the example set by all those who currently give and help us continue to ensure that a safe and stable blood supply is available for anyone in need, wherever they may be in the world."
What:
World Blood Donor Day Celebration
When:
June 11 - June 17, 2012
Where:
All metro area Memorial Blood Centers donor centers - located in Bloomington, Coon Rapids, Eden Prairie, Minneapolis (downtown), Plymouth, St. Paul, Woodbury
Why:
Every two seconds someone needs blood
Blood cannot be synthetically made; there is no substitute
38% of the community is eligible to give blood yet only about 5-7% actually do
All eligible donors who meet MBC general health requirements are welcome to make a date to donate. Specific height and weight restrictions apply for 16 – 18 year-old donors and those 16 years of age must have written parental consent. Additional eligibility guidelines are available at www.MBC.org or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).
About Memorial Blood Centers
Memorial Blood Centers has been saving lives for over 60 years as an independent nonprofit supplying life-saving blood to area hospitals and other partners throughout the U.S. Operating 11 donor centers and conducting hundreds of blood drives each month, Memorial Blood Centers also provides comprehensive testing and expert technical services as a national leader in transfusion medicine. For more information, call 888-GIVE-BLD or visit MBC.org.
SOURCE Memorial Blood Centers
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