June 14 is World Blood Donor Day

SunCoast Blood Bank Needs Blood Donors This Summer

Sarasota, FL – Summer is the most challenging time of the year for SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) to keep its inventory of blood products at safe levels.  Recognizing World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) on June 14, helps focus on the importance of blood donation, and recognize the contributions of voluntary donors in saving lives and improving health.  In 2005, WBDD was designated as an annual global event by the Fifty-eighth World Health Assembly. WBDD is now celebrated every year throughout the world.

“During the summer months, blood and platelet donations in our area can drop by as much as 15%,” said Jayne Giroux, director of community development for SCBB. Several factors contribute to the drop according to Giroux. “Our high schools are not in session. Our winter residents are gone, and many families take vacations during the summer. We still need to collect 150 units of blood a day, 365 days a year, to supply our local hospitals. Currently we are experiencing a shortage of O negative blood type, as well as A negative and B positive.”

The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day is “thank you for saving my life.”  The focus is on thanking blood donors who save lives through blood donations and encouraging many more people to make a commitment to regular voluntary blood donation. Donors will be encouraged to share what motivates them to donate blood. A full day of blood drives is scheduled on Sunday, June 14 and SCBB Donor Centers will recognize WBDD on Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13.

About SCBB – SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing a reliable supply of safe blood products and services to our community for over 66 years.  SCBB provides 100% of the blood products and services for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Complex Care Hospital of Ridgelake, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, Surgery Center at St. Andrews Venice, North Port Emergency Room, Fawcett Memorial Hospital of Port Charlotte, Englewood Community Hospital, DeSoto Memorial Hospital and Bayflite 2. SCBB is recognized as a distinguished provider with outstanding customer service and the ability to provide rare blood services onsite. For SCBB donor locations and more information, visit www.scbb.org or call 1-866-97-BLOOD.

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Donor centers and hours:

Bradenton Donor Center
Bayshore Gardens Donor Center
Bayshore Shopping Center (next to Publix)
6026 14th Street W.
Bradenton, FL 34207

Center Hours
Friday                    8:00am-3:30pm
Saturday              9:00am-2:00pm

Sarasota Donor Center
1760 Mound Street
Sarasota, FL 34236

Center Hours

Friday                    8:00am-4:30pm
Saturday              8:00am-1:00pm
 

Lakewood Ranch Donor Center
Lakewood Ranch Plaza
1731 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34211

Center Hours
Friday                    10:00am-4:30pm
Saturday              9:00am-2:00pm

Venice Donor Center
Bird Bay Plaza
539 US Hwy 41 Bypass North
Venice, FL 34285

Center Hours
Friday                    9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday              8:00am – 1:00pm

 June 14 blood drive schedule:

Carrabba’s Venice
1751 S. Tamiami Trail
Venice, FL 34293
1:00pm – 5:00pm

Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church
7900 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34241
8:30am – 1:00pm
 
Fellowship of Believers
3333 12th Street
Sarasota, FL 34237  
9:00am – 12:30pm

Woodland Community Church  
9707 State Road 70
Bradenton, FL 34202
10:00am – 1:30pm
 
Denny’s Bee Ridge Rd   
3701 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34233
9:00am – 2:00pm