Memorial Blood Centers Provides Drop-off Locations to Support Local Million for Haiti Humanitarian Initiative

ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Memorial Blood Centers today announced that it has joined forces to partner in a local earthquake relief effort called Million for Haiti. Initiated by Ashish Gadnis, Managing Partner and CEO of Twin Cities-based Forward Hindsight, Inc., the goal of this effort is to collect 1 million packages containing basic personal items and small food stuffs to be shipped and distributed to survivors in desperate need in Haiti.  

"Memorial Blood Centers is doing what we can to help support efforts that provide relief to both the survivors and the hospitals serving those whose lives have been devastated by the Haiti earthquake," Memorial Blood Centers CEO Donald Berglund said. "One way we are contributing is through our work with Million for Haiti. Now through next Sunday, January 24, 2010, we are making our 11 donor centers throughout Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin available as drop-off locations for packaged items designated for Million for Haiti."

Million for Haiti packages (collected in a shoebox or re-sealable plastic bag) should contain:

• 1 tube travel toothpaste
• 1 toothbrush
• 4 granola-type bars
• 1 bottled water (16 oz.)

Other basic yet life-essential, non-perishable items may also be included, e.g., deodorant, diapers, bar soap, personal notes, or hygiene products. Bulk donations will be accepted of the specific Million for Haiti items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, granola bars, bottled water. Cases of each item will contribute to the preparation of individual boxes prior to distribution.

Memorial Blood Centers' donor center locations can be found at www.mbc.org or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).

Packages also may be mailed to:

Additional ways members of the community can help:

• Make a blood donation through Memorial Blood Centers in honor of the wounded or in memory of those who lost their lives. Blood donations can be made at any Memorial Blood Centers donor center or at a mobile blood drive. Check www.mbc.org for more info.

"Current indications are that the need for blood is currently being met by the U.S. Armed Services Blood Program Office (ASBPO)," CEO Berglund added.  "At this time, Memorial Blood Centers has not been asked to provide blood to the ASBPO or the other blood centers that are currently providing blood to the Haitian communities affected. However, we remain prepared and available to provide blood, when called upon."

About Memorial Blood Centers

Memorial Blood Centers, is a locally operated nonprofit organization that supplies life-saving blood and blood components to over 30 hospital partners throughout Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin. Operating 11 donor centers and conducting hundreds of blood drives each month, Memorial Blood Centers also is a national leader in transfusion medicine, providing expert technical services to clients throughout the U.S. For more information on Memorial Blood Centers please call 888-GIVE BLD or visit www.memorialbloodcenters.org.  Media contact is Wendy Capetz at 651-332-7220 or 651-592-9171.

For additional information about the Million for Haiti initiative, visit www.millionforhaiti.com or contact Ashish Gadnis at 651-428-0749.        

SOURCE Million for Haiti; Memorial Blood Centers