Going the Extra Mile

The saying goes, “Give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.” And Bob Abeling does exactly that, if not more. Not because it has anything to do with measurements or his trade as a carpenter, but because he believes in going above and beyond for the cause of blood donation.

“About 3 percent of the parishioners donate blood,” said Bob, blood drive coordinator at Our Lady of Loretto Church, Novato, and a carpenter for the City and County of San Francisco before his retirement. “I want 10 percent and more!”

According to BCP Account Representative Jeanne Nielsen, Our Lady of Loretto Church has been hosting blood drives since 2001. “Bob took over on behalf of the Knights of Columbus in April 2006,” said Jeanne. “He does an amazing job and hosts five to six blood drives a year, averaging about 40 pints at each drive.”

Even though 917 pints of blood have been donated since he became blood drive coordinator, Bob continues to be relentless in his efforts to save even more lives. “You’ve got to make those phone calls to push a little, but not too much,” said the 73-year-old, who was also a blood drive coordinator at San Francisco General Hospital when he worked there from the 1970s through the 90s. “Ask them to bring their friend, neighbor or coworker to the next blood drive.”

To garner more donors, Bob gets prizes donated such as savings bonds and gift certificates or other gifts to raffle off.  On top of that, he also enlists the help of volunteers to call past donors to encourage them to give the gift of life at the next blood drive. Bob also organized a donor appreciation lunch in May for donors who reached at least 25 donations.

In addition to being a blood hero, Bob—married for 50 years with two kids and eight grandchildren—also volunteers at the Indian Valley Associates, a homeowners’ organization, and the Marin Chapter of the California Grand Jurors Association as well as the Knights of Columbus.

Thank you Bob Abeling for your outstanding efforts and taking that extra “mile” in helping save lives!

Total Wellness for Heroes

by Barbara Mendoza, Boston Properties Blood Drive Coordinator and overall rockstar!

Every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion; your blood donation could help an accident victim, someone receiving an organ transplant or a cancer patient battling their disease. In fact, since each whole blood donation is separated into its components, you can actually save three lives. Saving lives. Do you need a better reason to visit the Embarcadero Center Total Wellness event? Well how about all of the other demonstrations, product sampling, complimentary massages, and over 65 booths that are involved?

Embarcadero Center is committed to providing its tenants and neighbors with community minded events that aim to educate and impact the public in a positive way.  Wellness is a way of living that emphasizes such preventive measures as eating a healthy diet, incorporating exercise into an enjoyable routine and making self-care decisions that will improve the quality of life.

Join the Total Wellness Blood Drive, Thursday, June 17, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm.  The BCP donor coach will be located at 4EC on Drumm Street. Schedule an appointment online at www.bloodheroes.com, enter sponsor code: embarcadero or call 415.772.0650.  Every donor will be entered in a raffle to win an iPod touch.

The Embarcadero Center Total Wellness event includes complimentary health screenings, fitness demonstrations, health & wellness booths, complimentary massages, entertainment, product sampling and drawings for special prizes.  Events will take place in Two, Three and Four Embarcadero Center from 11 AM to 2:00PM

For more information click here.

(photo credit: Miiish)