For media inquiries, call Lisa Bloch, 415-749-6612.
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September 15, 2011
Contact:Lisa Bloch
415-749-6612
San Francisco/Oakland, CA – In celebration of Sickle Cell Awareness month in September, Blood Centers of the Pacific (BCP) is hosting a “101 Heroes Blood Drive” to encourage at least 101 people to give blood on Saturday, September 24th, 2011, from 10am to 3pm at Studio One Art Center in Oakland.
“Why 101? That number is significant because it’s been 101 years since sickle cell anemia was first written about in a medical journal,” said Fred McFadden, Diversity Blood Donor Program Specialist at BCP. “About 98 percent of people suffering from sickle cell anemia are African-American, and patients with the disease may need 15 to 25 blood transfusions each year. Usually, the safest blood for them to receive comes from other African-Americans. To mark Sickle Cell Awareness month, we need 101 heroes to help save lives by donating blood.”
In addition to hosting the blood drive, BCP will be displaying the submissions of the “What Sickle Cell Means to Me” Art Contest at Studio One Art Center. Patients and non-patients alike were invited express their answer through art in any medium.
To add to the family fun and festivities, there will be free food and art projects lead by CoachArt, raffle prizes and more. All blood donors will get a chance to meet basketball star Stephen Curry, during his appearance at the event and receive a free T-shirt.
The “101 Heroes Blood Drive” is sponsored by BCP and Novartis Diagnostics, in partnership with Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland, CoachArt, Sickle Cell Community Advisory Council, Sickle Cell Disease Soldier Network, The Links Incorporated, Oakland Technical High School, Be The Match and the California Transplant Donor Network.
What: 101 Heroes Blood Drive with Appearance by Basketball Star, Stephen Curry
When: September 24, 2011, 10am to 3pm
Where: Studio One Art Center, 365 45th St., Oakland
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit http://www.bloodcenters.org or call (415) 354-1381.
Blood Centers of the Pacific is the nation’s oldest nonprofit community blood center, providing volunteer blood donations to more than 50 hospitals throughout Northern California.
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