Old News
Great Gas Give Away
The Community Blood Bank and Country Fair have teamed up again this summer to help keep the local blood supply safe. All week long, donors who donate at 26th & Peach streets, will be automatically entered to win one of two $100 gas cards courtesy of Country Fair.
The first 200 donors will receive a $10 Gas Card courtesy of Country Fair starting this Wednesday, July 28th.
"This is such a great promotion," says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "We are so grateful to Country Fair. We hope lots of donors come out and give blood all week long."
Donate for Dad
Donate for Dad! Give blood. Fathers' Day is Sunday June 20th and the Community Blood Bank wants to help you get ready when you give blood.
The first 50 donors who come in Wednesday will receive a TSA compliant travel kit (complete with travel size bottles for shampoo and stuff) and a $10 off coupon for an Aromatherapy massage generously donated by Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon.
Donors all week long are entered to win the Grand Prize: a golf foursome at Crab Apple Ridge Golf Course with cart, a golf gift basket from Ambridge Rose and a $100 gift card from the Peach Street Wal-Mart.
"Donate for Dad!" says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "Dad always does stuff without asking for a reward so give back in a way that would make him proud."
World Blood Donor Day
Many Americans may consider giving blood to be an important act of community service, however, less than 10 percent donate on an annual basis. Incredibly, if just one percent more donated–less than four million Americans–the nation’s blood shortages would disappear for the foreseeable future. To help close this gap,NexcareTM Brand and America’s Blood Centers announce the second annual Nexcare give program, a nationwide blood donation initiative centered around World Blood Donor Day, Monday, June 14th, and extending through Sunday, June 20th.
With the support of hundreds of participating community blood centers, including the Community Blood Bank, the Nexcare give program inspires Americans with a message of hope, and helps to spread the word by distributing limited-edition Nexcare Bandages marked with the word give. A symbol for the cause, these high-performance, diamond-shaped Nexcare give Bandages serve as a badge of honor for blood donors and encourage others to get involved.
Made in the U.S.A., the 2010 Nexcare give Bandages are inspired by both the patriotic act of giving blood as well as Flag Day, which will also be recognized on June 14, 2010. This collection of three Nexcare Bandages, designed with the patriotic colors of red, white and blue, are adorned with stars and stripes to represent the everyday hero in each American who commits to saving lives by donating blood.
“Despite advances in modern medicine there is still no substitute for human blood, making our nation’s supply rely solely on the difference made by each and every donor,” said America’s Blood Centers’ Chief Executive Officer, Jim MacPherson. “Donating blood is an honorable way to give back to your community that doesn’t cost more than an hour or so of your time, a fact that may resonate even more in these economic times.”
BayHawks Day at the Blood Bank
The Community Blood Bank and the Erie BayHawks have teamed up to give donors a special treat this Friday, February 19th. While supplies last, donors will receive a voucher for two tickets to the upcoming Cleveland Affiliate Night Game on Friday, February 26th. Donors will also receive a free commemorative T-Shirt from the Community Blood Bank.
Heavy use of blood at the area hospitals has reduced the current blood supply. The Community Blood Bank is appealing to people of all blood types, especially O+ and O-, to come and donate blood as soon as possible.
“Saving lives is a Slam Dunk!” says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing and community relations at the Community Blood Bank. “We are so grateful to have the support of the Erie BayHawks to help us replenish the local blood supply. We are in critical need of types O+ and O- so we hope this promotion helps to bring people in to donate.”
BAYHAWKS BLOOD DRIVE
MONDAY, FEB. 15TH, AT TULLIO ARENA FROM
11 TO 4PM. EVERY DONOR GETS A FREE T-SHIRT AND A PAIR OF TICKETS TO A GAME!
The Erie BayHawks and the Community Blood Bank are teaming up to save lives this Monday, February 15th. The blood drive will be from 11 to 4pm at the Tullio Arena. All donors will receive a free commemorative T-shirt and a pair of tickets to the upcoming Cleveland Affiliate Night Game on February 26th.
All donors can enter to win a courtside seats for the Cavs game night which will feature: Cavaliers Girls dance team, Cavaliers Mascot Moondog and the Scream Team hip hop dance team.
"Saving Lives is a Slam Dunk!" said Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "We are so grateful for the BayHawks' support to help the local blood supply."
Give From The Heart This
Valentine's Day
Why not give from the heart this Valentine's Day? The Community Blood Bank has teamed up with their loyal friends over at Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon to give one lucky blood donor a Valentine's Day to remember.
The first 50 donors this Tuesday, February 9th, will receieve a beautiful glass heart shaped necklace courtesy of Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon. (picture below) Also, donors all week long can register to win a Valentine's Day Package consisting of a dinner for two at 1201 Kitchen, a one night stay at the Hampton Inn South Hotel on Upper Peach Street and a gift certificate to Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon.
January is National Blood Donor Month
Make a resolution to start a new habit in 2010: Give the gift of life, often. America’s Blood Centers encourages you to become a regular blood donor beginning this January during the annual celebration of National Blood Donor Month. Throughout January, join America’s Blood Centers, its members and transfusion recipients nationwide in thanking repeat blood donors and continuing to challenge all donors to give blood regularly in 2010.
ANNUAL PEEK'N PEAK SKI PASS GIVE-AWAY IS BACK!
FIRST 110 DONORS ON FRIDAY GET A FREE LIFT TICKET
Peek'N Peak has had over 10 feet of natural snow this season so conditions will be perfect for our annual lift ticket giveaway! The Community Blood Bank wants donors and is enticing them with lift tickets on Friday. Peek'N Peak Ski Resort has generously donated over $10,000 worth of ski passes to the Community Blood Bank to help save lives in our region.
The first 110 donors at the blood bank on Friday get an adult all day weekday lift ticket. The blood bank is open from 9am to 6pm on Friday and no appointments are needed; but photo ID is required.
"There's plenty of snow at the Peek and 110 donors Friday will be very glad they came and gave blood!" said Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the blood bank. "We are so grateful for Peek'N Peak's continued commitment to the safety of the blood supply."
'SPLASH' IN WITH THE ERIE PHILHARMONIC
1ST 50 DONORS ON TUESDAY GET 2 TICKETS TO SPLASH CONCERT
The Community Blood Bank has teamed up with the Erie Philharmonic for its upcoming 'Splash' Concert on Saturday January 23rd. The first 50 donors Tuesday get a voucher for 2 for this great concert, valued at $78.
While the bay may be frozen, the Erie Philharmonic will make a Splash at the Warner Theatre as they will perform Debussy's La Mer, Handel's Water Music and Tobias Picker's Old and Lost Rivers.
Donors all week can enter to win an overnight stay and 4 Splash Lagoon passes generously donated by Scott Enterprises, the Erie Phil's Season Sponsor.
"Make a 'Splash' by giving blood," said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank, "Teaming up with the Erie Philharmonic is a great way to enjoy January."
Give To Get 10 In 2010
Didn't get that gift you wanted this holiday season? Donate blood this week and enter to win a prize that will help you get that special gift.
Donors all week long can enter to win a $100 Gift Card to Wal-Mart. Also, on Tuesday, January 5th, the first 50 donors will recieve a $10 Gas Card to Country Fair for 2010.
Season of Giving with Nautilus Fitness and Racquet Club
Did you stuff yourself like we did this weekend? It was great but now we need to get serious and start working out. In an effort to get you started the Community Blood Bank has teamed up with Nautilus Fitness and Racquet Club and this Tuesday the first 50 donors get a free 1 week pass and donors all week are entered to win a 6 month family membership also provided by Nautilus.
Season of Giving with Smith's Provision
The “Season of Giving” continues at the Community Blood Bank. This week is Smith’s Provision week and Tuesday, the first 60 donors get to choose from Smith's Provision wonderful Kielbasa or Italian Sausage. The sausage is nicely seasoned and full bodied and the Kielbasa is rich and flavorful; both are delicious and very easy to prepare.
Donors all week long can enter to win a beautiful gift basket put together by Smith’s Provisions featuring some of their old favorites and more.
“We want to have a great week this to have a safe Christmas week,” Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. “Now is the time come in and give blood BEFORE we have any problems.”
Amazon Kindle Giveaway
The Community Blood Bank of NWPA & WNY has a great promotion this Christmas Season for all the donors who go to our mobile drives. 70% of all blood donated to the CBB is donated at mobile drives where we come to the donors at their employer or school or where ever. Our standard Season of Giving promotions are just for the donors who come to our offices at 26th & Peach in Erie, PA.
So now through December 19th every donor who comes to a mobile blood drive is automatically entered to win the “IT” gift this year, the Amazon Kindle. This great ‘electronic book’ has tens of thousands of titles available.
But rather than just one Kindle we have THREE! That’s right, we have Kindle for the donors at mobile drives in Erie County; 1 for our three counties in WNY and a third for our donors out in NWPA.
For more on the Kindle check it out at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0015T963C/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=3927556971&ref=pd_sl_93qxhnzinw_e
Season of Giving Continues
Week 2 has Tops Friendly Markets generously donating a $5 gift card to the first 50 donors on Tuesday and donors all week are entered to win a $100 gift card.
There is a shortage of just one blood type; O Negative, the Universal Donor, a blood type that anyone, regardless of their own blood type, can receive.
It's used in emergencies when there is no time to determine the blood type of the patient. The LifeStar helicopter flies every mission with our O Neg on board. Only 8% of the population is O Negative.
This past weekend saw extremely heavy use of this blood type, with about half of the total supply of O Neg being transfused Saturday & Sunday. This usage occurred at several hospitals is not the result of one incident.
"The Thanksgiving Holiday is over, Black Friday came and went," said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "And we are in pretty good shape other than O Neg, but now, historically, is when we'll start to see levels slide as the holidays approach."
Anti-Black Friday Experience
DONORS FRIDAY GET A FREE DOZEN DOUGHNUTS FROM KRISPY KREME
Black Friday can be tough on shoppers so the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania offers the "Anti" Black Friday Experience: No Lines, Plenty of Parking and we never run out of saving lives. Long after the toys are forgotten, the gift of life will remain. The Community Blood Bank will be open regular hours on Black Friday from 9am to 6pm.
All donors Friday get a coupon for dozen doughnuts generously donated by Krispy Kreme and donors all week are enter to win a table for 8 at the Station Dinner Theatre's upcoming 20th Annual Christmas Memories show.
"Giving blood is one of the BEST ways to get in the holiday spirit." said Dan Desrochers Director of Marketing at the blood bank, "It's amazing how giving the best gift this holiday season will but some Christmas cheer in your heart."
Season of Giving Begins
The "Season of Giving" is in its seventh year at the Community Blood Bank. In anticipation of a seasonal blood shortage the CBB has its annual holiday promotion up and running with some great gifts for our blood donors! Through the holidays the first 50 donors every Tuesday will get a holiday gift and donors all week can enter to win a great raffle. Last year local businesses donated over $5000 in goods and services to the donors.
This Tuesday, the first 50 donors who come in will receive a boxed chocolate angel generously donated by Romolo Chocolates.
Donors all week long can enter to win an 8 pack of tickets for dinner and a show at the Station Dinner Theatre on Peach Street. Some lucky donor will win it just by taking a half an hour and giving blood this week.
"Thanksgiving Holiday travel is usually pretty heavy and that usually that means more accidents," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "Now is the time come in and give blood BEFORE the Holidays get in full swing."
Giving blood is the fastest way to get in the holiday spirit!
Community Blood Bank Responds To Central Blood Bank Blood Drive
There have been several media reports crediting the upcoming blood drive with the Erie Otters to the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.
In fact the drive will be conducted by The Central Blood Bank in Pittsburgh, a direct competitor of the Community Blood Bank. Both organizations initials are CBB so that contributes to the confusion.
The Community Blood Bank of NW PA is the ONLY supplier of blood to local hospitals and serves the following Counties EXCLUSIVELY: Erie, Warren, McKean, Elk, Potter in Pennsylvania; and Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany counties in New York. The Central Blood Bank supplies Crawford county and regions south of that county.
It has long been the policy of the Community Blood Bank of NW PA to only draw blood in the counties in which it supplies. This had been the Central Blood Bank's policy for years as well but its inability to recruit enough donors has forced them to come into Erie County to collect blood. The Central Blood Bank has also scheduled blood drives at Edinboro University and other venues, further reducing the Community Blood Bank of NW PA's available donor base.
The Community Blood Bank of NW PA is the LOWEST cost blood supplier in the entire United States charging significantly less than both Central Blood Bank and the American Red Cross. Because of this new competition the Community Blood Bank of NW PA will now have to spend additional resources in the counties we serve just to differentiate ourselves from the Central Blood Bank and to make up for donors lost to these kinds of blood drives.
Our primary concern will always be to make sure there is a safe and adequate blood supply for LOCAL patients. This is the whole reason it was created in 1966. About 37% of the adult population is eligible to donate but only 3% do so the Community Blood Bank of NW PA is very concerned about how these blood drives will affect its ability to maintain a safe blood supply.
All blood donation is a wonderful act of charity and the Community Blood Bank of NW PA believes charity begins at home.
Erie Community Foundation Helps CBB
The Community Blood Bank has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Erie Community Foundation, http://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/, towards the purchase of a new blood mobile. The new blood mobile will cost between roughly $160,000 and is expected to begin service taking donors in Erie County in September 2010.
Picture caption: from left to right: ECF President Mike Batchelor, Chairperson of the CBB’s board of Directors, Natalie Dwyer-Haller, CBB’s Director of Marketing Dan Desrochers, CBB’s Executive Director Jacky Kocz, and ECF board trustee and treasurer Ted Junker.
First Community Blood Drive in Wellsboro, PA
John Antonio, host of the radio show Coffee Break on WNBT in Wellsboro donates blood at the first community blood drive held by the Community Blood bank of NW PA on Monday October 5th. John is 88 years old and says he feels great after giving. The Community Blood Bank recently began supplying Laurel health System with blood and expects to have to provide over 1000 units of blood each year. Blood drives will be held the first Monday of every month in the board room of Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital from 12 to 5pm. No appointment is needed to save a life.
Community Blood Banks
Continues To Expand
Click Here To Learn More About Joint Efforts Of The CBB and Laurel Health System
On Wednesday, August 26th, the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania (CBB) held its first Tioga County blood drive [and will soon] begin supplying blood to Laurel Health System's Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital. In 2008, patients at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital needed about 1,000 units of blood and blood products. Laurel Health System will save tens of thousands of dollars each year by making the changeover from its current supplier to CBB.
The locally-run blood drives will help the Hospital meet community blood supply needs while continuing to provide quality care and maintain financial viability. These drives will be held in the communities that the served by Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital; everyone who can do so is encouraged to donate at blood drives held by CBB.
In 2008, CBB became the exclusive supplier of blood to Charles Cole Hospital in neighboring Potter County. In operation since 1966, CBB is the exclusive supplier of blood to all hospitals in Warren, Elk, Mc Kean, Potter and Erie Counties in Pennsylvania, and supplies over 98% of all the blood used in Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany Counties in Western New York. In 2008, over 10,000 patients received blood that was donated to the Community Blood Bank.
5th Annual Blood Bath
It's November and mid-season means it's time for our 5th annual Blood Bath promotion. This week from Monday November 9th through Saturday the 14th all donors in Erie County can come in and enter to win a 4 pack of NFL tickets. Donors declare what team they support (Steelers, Browns or Bills) and one member of each team will be selected to win a 4 pack of tickets to an NFL home game. Here's what's up for grabs:
Steelers versus the Raiders Sunday December 6th in Pittsburgh, 4 seats lower levels section 130 Browns versus the Chargers Sunday December 6th in Cleveland, 4 seats lower levels section 130 Bills versus the Dolphins Sunday November 29th in Buffalo, 4 seats lower level section 110.
Fifth Annual Blood Collectors Week
AABB and Fenwal Inc. are collaborating to launch the fifth Annual Blood Collectors Week, September 13-19th, 2009. This recognition week will promote and recognize the outstanding contributions of phlebotomists and apheresis operators and all others involved in supporting the nation's blood supply. More detailed information is available at http://www.bloodcollectors.org/.
"Blood collection professionals are integral to the donation process," AABB CEO Karen Shoos Lipton said. "The professionalism these dedicated individuals exude helps to ensure repeat donations, which is central to maintaining an adequate blood supply that is readily available whenever and wherever our communities need it."
According to AABB, about 29 million units of blood components are transfused annually in the United States. Last year the CBB provided over 40,000 units of blood and blood products to over 10,000 patients regionally. The Community Blood Bank has over 60 employees and supplies blood to 17 hospitals in 8 counties in PA and NY.
The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania has been a member of the AABB for 32 years.
Clean out the Closet
We have a bunch of left over stuff in our promotions closet and have decided every donor this week after Labor Day will get some kind of gift from the Community Blood Bank.
Here's the gift schedule:
Tuesday: T-shirts (either the Life Saver or our Relay for Life Shirts)
Wednesday: flip up Book Light and Book Mark (Donor Dinner theme in April was Great Expectations)
Thursday: Blue soft sided 6 pack cooler with our logo ( we were over optimistic in our ordering of these)
Friday: Blood Bank logo'd combo Carabineer/ flashlight and a sunglass visor clips (ditto)
Donors all week can win a box of "stuff" including a Country Fair Gas Card, meals from Taco Bell, Ice cream from Ben & Gerry's, a CBB sweat shirt, a CBB Polo shirt and a coveted blood bank clock with 24 hour time!
All week long Little Caesars is generously providing lunch for our donors.
Panera Bread All This Week
This week the Community Blood Bank and Panera Bread
have teamed up to give one lucky donor a delicious prize. Donors all week long can register to win a $100 gift card
to Panera Bread!
Also, Tuesday, September 1st, the first 50 donors will receive a $5 gift card to Panera Bread.
Labor Day, one of the top three hardest weekends on
the blood supply, is right around the corner. Please donate blood this week to help maintain a safe blood supply
this holiday weekend.
Season of Living
Week 14
Pizza Pasta
Tomorrow, August 25th, the first 50 donors will receive a coupon for a free small sub from Pizza Pasta. Also, donors can enjoy lunch here at the Community Blood Bank courtesy of Pizza Pasta.
We are in need of all blood types, especially O-, A- and O+. Please donate this week.
Season of Living
Week 13
Taco Bell and Panera Bread
The supply of type O blood dropped significantly over the weekend as summer weather returned to the region. The final weeks of summer will prove hardest on the blood supply as the last of the vacations are taken and the summer weather is enjoyed. Regular donors are delaying giving blood to make the most of August. The Community Blood Bank is urging everyone who can to please come and give blood.
The first 50 donors each day get a free meal coupon from Taco Bell (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and Panera Bread (Tuesday and Thursday) and each restaurant is bringing lunch on their day at noon.
"An easy lunch for doing something easy!" said Dan Desrochers director of marketing and community relations at the blood bank. "Join us for a great lunch for a great cause."
Season of Living
Week 12
Calamari's Squid Row &
Connoisseur Media
The Community Blood Bank is expecting the current blood shortage to continue in some form through the whole month of August. Now that the weather has finally turned 'summer like' everyone will be trying to enjoy it while it lasts and delay donating for later. Blood usage will also rise as summer activities increase (boating, motorcycling, etc.) with the warm weather.
The first 50 donors on Tuesday day get a $5 gift card to Calamari's Squid Row on State Street and donors all week can enter to win a $100 gift card to Calamari's and a pair of backstage passes to meet Joe Nichols this Sunday at Celebrate Erie courtesy of Connoisseur Media.
"August will be a very long month for us," said Dan Desrochers director of marketing and community relations at the blood bank. "But with great support from companies like Calamari's and the general public we'll make it through."
Critical Blood Shortage
Free T-Shirts For Everyone!
The Community Blood Bank is taking the unprecendented step of giving every donor who tries to give blood at the 26th & Peach street a "Life Saver" T-Shirt, now through the end of the week. The blood bank laid in a supply of these great shirts just to end the critical shortage that the region is experiencing. Sizes are Mediums to 2XL.
"All of our donors are 'Life Savers'," says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "Now is their chance to show everyone that they save lives by giving blood with this great FREE T-Shirt."
Season of Living
Week 10
Empyrean Day Spa & Salon and
West Corporation
The Community Blood Bank has teamed up with Empyrean Day Spa & Salon and West Corporation to help end the current blood shortage. The first 250 donors that come in to donate at the 26th and Peach street location will receive a pair of tickets to the August 5th Erie SeaWoves game.
On Tuesday, July 28th, the first 50 donors will receive a salon quality shampoo & conditioner from Empyrean Day Spa & Salon. Also, donors all week long can enter to win a wonderful beauty basket from Empyrean Day Spa & Salon.
The Community Blood Bank would like to thank Empyrean Day Spa & Salon and West Corporation for their generous donations this summer.
Season of Living
Week 9
Smith's Provisions
and Lake Erie Speedway
Help the Community Blood Bank make a speedy recovery from the current blood shortage as we partner this week with Smith’s and the Lake Erie Speedway!
Donors all this week, July 20 - 25, can enter to win the grand prize - a gift basket filled with Smith’s products and tickets to an upcoming Lake Erie Speedway show!
On Tuesday, July 21, the first 50 donors will leave with a delicious Italian sausage and kielbasa courtesy of Smith's and two tickets to an upcoming Lake Erie Speedway show courtesy of the Lake Erie Speedway. Also, all donors on Tuesday will be treated to a Smith's hot dog grilled by employees of the blood bank.
The Community Blood Bank would like to thank Smith’s Provisions and the Lake Erie Speedway for their generous donations.
Season of Living
Week 8
Iadeluca Chiropractic Center
and Pizza Pasta
The Community Blood Bank, Iadeluca Chiropractic Center and Pizza Pasta want to see you back this week. All week long donors can register to win a prize pack containing a $100 gift card to both Pizza Pasta and Nelson's Tavern.
On Wednesday, July 15th, the first 50 donors will receive a coupon for a small sub from Pizza Pasta. Also, staff from Iadeluca Chiropractic Center will be at the Community Blood Bank from 11am-1pm. Iadeluca will have their Muscle Tension Test avaliable for all donors.
The Community Blood Bank would like to thank Iadeluca Chiropractic Center and Pizza Pasta for their generous donations.
Season of Living
Week 7
Chick-Fil-A
This week the Community Blood Bank is working with
Chick-Fil-A on Upper Peach Street to give donors
a special treat.
All week long donors can register to win a $100 gift card from Chick-Fil-A. On Tuesday, July 7th, the first 50 donors will receive a free sandwich courtesy of Chick-Fil-A.
The Community Blood Bank is in need of all blood types this week after the 4th of July Holiday weekend.
Extreme Blood Drive
Maleno Development and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition have invited the Community Blood Bank to be part of this amazing community event as the design team transforms a home for one lucky Erie family. The Community Blood Bank will be holding a blood drive at the registration site on 21st and Wallace.
Monday - Wednesday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Thursday from 8 a.m.-Noon.
Walk-ins are welcome!
As the Community Blood Bank faces the impending Fourth of July holiday, we are so grateful for the support of Maleno Development and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Blood donations are especially needed leading up to the holiday so we can ensure that Erie's blood inventory is at safe levels during a time when accidents and emergencies tend to increase.
Please join us to donate blood as the Erie community comes together in the spirit of giving.
Season of Living
Week 4
Leo's Car Wash and Subway
Help dad to maintain his wheels this Father’s Day with the Community Blood Bank. The Community Blood Bank, Leo’s Car Wash and Subway have teamed up to give one lucky donor help with their Father’s Day gift.
Beginning this Monday, June 15th, through Saturday, June 20th, all donors are able to enter to win a “tune up” package from Leo’s Car Wash located on 26th and Peninsula. The package includes two free car washes and an oil change.
On Tuesday, June 16th, the first 50 donors will receive a free car wash from Leo’s Car Wash and a coupon for a 6” sub from the Subway located inside the Millcreek Mall. Also on Tuesday, donors will be able to enjoy a delicious snack from Subway after they donate.
“This is a great way to have donors help us to maintain the blood supply while we help them to maintain their car,” says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “We are starting to see a decrease in the blood supply so we want to see donors, old and new, to come in and donate this summer."
Season of Living
Week 3
World Blood Donor Day
Sunday, June 14th, is World Blood Donor Day and the Community Blood Bank is teaming up wtih blood banks all across the nation for a speacial promotion designed to help prevent, or lessen, the blood shortages this summer. Nexcare Bandages is promoting blood donations all across the country by generously donating more than 250,000 special bandages to be given to blood donors all this week.
High-performance, diamond shaped Nexcare Bandages will prominently feature the word GIVE as a message of inspiration and gratitude. The Nexcare GIVE Bandage represents the united global celebration and recognition of the everyday heroes who save lives by giving blood.
"More than 250,000 Americans will give blood this week," says Dan Desrochers, director of public relations at the Community Blood Bank. "Locally about 800 people will give to meet the needs in the Northwest Pennsylvania. Will you be one of them?"
Season of Living
Week 2
Stan's Garden Center
The Community Blood Bank's 'Season of Living' continues this week as we partner with Stan's Garden Center to help keep the blood supply safe in the face of falling supplies and rising usage. Every week for the 'Season of Living' the blood bank will team up with an area buisness or group to make sure enough people donate to supply the local hospitals.
The first 50 donors who come in and give blood at 26th and Peach Street on Tuesday, June 2nd, will receive a beautiful Geranium donated by Stan's Garden Center. Donors all week long can also enter to win a fabulous 16" diameter glazed ceramic pot that has tons of flowers already growing in it which was also donated by Stan's Garden Center.
"We are starting to see a decline in the number of walk-in donors," said Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "With so many people working on their yards teaming up with Stan's is the perfect match."
42nd Annual Donor Dinner
The Community Blood Bank held its 42nd Annual Donor Dinner at the Bel-Aire on Thursday, April 16th at 7 p.m. The annual dinner is held to recognize those people who give so selflessly to the community by regularly giving blood. Those being honored have all met a milestone in blood donations: 5,10,15, 20 and so on up to 100 gallons. One donor, Roman Kloecker, has made time to visit the blood bank over 800 times over the past 25 years to reach the 100-gallon mark.Roman is a Platelet Pheresis Donor. During this type of donation only the Platelets ( the clotting agent) are extracted from the donor suing a special machine and the red blood is returned to him. This process takes close to two hours each donation. These platelets almost exclusively go to local cancer patients as part of their treatment. Platelet donors can donate up to 24 times a year which is why the platelet donors gallon levels get so high. Less than 100 people in the entire United States have donated that much blood.
Roman Kloecker receiving his 100 Gallon Award from Jacky Kocz, Executive Director at the CBB.
The CBB set a record with a crowd of 278 people in attendance. This year's dinner theme was "Great Expectations." The guest speaker, Dr. Jeff Richmond, a pathologist from St. Vincent Health Center, spoke about his personal experience and the importance of blood donors.
Donor Chair People (those who coordinate blood drives at their place of business or other community location) were also recognized for their efforts to keep the local blood supply safe.
In 2008, over 10,000 local patients in Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York received blood and blood products from the generous donors to the Community Blood Bank.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
At 2:30pm on Tuesday, April 7th the CBB had a ribbon cutting ceremony with our representatives from Roche and the Mayor of Erie, Joe Sinnott to welcome the new MPX Testing Platform to the CBB. An Open House continued at the Community Blood Bank until 7:30pm.
Left to Right: Whitney Green - Senior Vice President Molecular Diagnostics - Roche, Natalie Dwyer-Haller- Chairperson CBB Board, Dr. Mary Ellen Rietz- Medical Director CBB, Mayor Joe Sinnott, R.J. Zonna- CBB Board Member, United Way and Jacky Kocz- Executive Director of CBB.
You may have noticed the Community Blood Bank has become a little larger. In the summer of 2008, we completed a 2,000 square-foot addition. This addition expanded our blood bank testing laboratory and added some additional office space to the second floor. The laboratory expansion was completed just in time to welcome the Abbott PRISM Blood Screening Analyzer. This analyzer allows us to perform blood donor screening in half the time
with half the staff.
In December of 2008, CBB added the Roche S201 Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) equipment to complete the donor screening package. Initially starting with testing for West Nile Virus we have since expanded to include the multiplex assay for HIV/HCV/HBV NAT. Prior to receipt of the Roche S201 this technology had been outsourced to a blood center in Florida. Bringing this technology in-house allows us to complete testing more quickly and therefore have blood products more readily available.
Holy Week Event
Give the Gift of Life
Jesus gave his life for all of us... last week we celebrated with local churches by giving someone in our community the gift of life.
From March 30th-April 4th the Community Blood Bank held a Holy Week event at 2646 Peach Street. Donors all week long could come in and donate on behalf of their church.The winning church was Wesleyville Baptist Church which brought in the most donors throughout the week and received a $100 gift certificate from Hofmann’s Church and Religious Goods.
Record High Blood Levels
Right now the inventory of blood available at the hospitals the Community Blood Bank supplies is at the highest level it has been in almost 6 years.
For the five counties in Pennsylvania the CBB has over 900 units of blood in inventory, where 800 is considered optimum. The CBB keeps a separate inventory for the WNY hospitals and it too is at extremely high levels. The highest the blood supply ever got was after 9/11 and it was about 1050. CBB did over 900 without a crisis in sight!
Two big factors here, first is the 16 year old donors. The CBB began accepting 16 year olds with parental permission on September 8th and has seen about 1000 of them since then. This has really increased the size of the high school drives. About 20% of all the blood comes from students under the age of 23. Second is the great staff at the blood bank. CBB has an amazing recruiting team that recruits over 70% of all of our donors to mobile blood drives, and the nurses do a great job getting donors in and out in a pleasant manor so donors want to come back and the lab is doing a great job testing and processing the blood quickly to get it to the hospitals where it's needed.
It still takes about 800 donors each and every week to meet the needs of local patients. Blood donated today will be good through April so the CBB hopes continue getting donors in to donate blood.
March Mayhem at the Blood Bank
March Mayhem, the NCAA Basketball Tournament, is just around the corner and with the entire tournament being broadcast in High Definition. The Community Blood Bank and WSEE 35 want make sure that one lucky donor will be able to watch it all in High-Def. Throughout the entire month of February all donors will be automatically entered to win a 42" High-Def Plasma TV generously donated by Channel 35 News.
This contest runs February 1st until February 28th and is open to donors in all 8 counties who sign in to donate throughout the entire month. "This TV is big and beautiful and could be in your family room before the start of the NCAA Basketball Tournament," said Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "We need lots of donors in order to make it safely through February and we hope this TV does the trick!"
"Get In Style" This Valentine's Day
By Giving Blood
The Community Blood Bank, Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon and Silpada Designs - Sterling Silver Jewelry have joined together to make sure that one lucky donor will be in style this Valentine’s Day.
Beginning this Monday, February 9th through Friday, February 13th, all donors can enter to win a chic gift package from Ambridge Rose and Silpada Designs. The package includes a $50 gift card for the Hampton Inn and Suites, a gorgeous shirt with matching jewelry and clutch and a $50 gift certificate for a haircut and make-up session all from Ambridge Rose, along with a $150 gift card from Silpada Designs.
On Tuesday, February 10th, the first 50 donors will also receive a refreshing Valentine’s Day gift bag from Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon with over $10 worth of salon quality products and a $10 off coupon for an Aromatherapy Massage.
“Give blood this Valentine’s Day to show someone how much you care,” said Brittany Yost, Donor Resource Coordinator at the Community Blood Bank. “People are always buying chocolates and flowers for Valentine’s Day; why not give a gift that literally comes straight from the heart.”
ANNUAL PEEK'N PEAK SKI PASS
GIVE-AWAY IS BACK! FIRST 100 DONORS ON TUESDAY GET A FREE LIFT TICKET.
Mother Nature cooperated this year and there is plenty of fresh powder at Peek N Peak and it's just in time for the annual lift ticket giveaway! The Community Blood Bank wants donors and is enticing them with lift tickets on Tuesday. Peek 'N Peak Ski Resort and Spa has generously donated over $10,000 worth of ski passes to the Community Blood Bank to help save lives in our region. The first 100 donors at the blood bank on Tuesday will receive one adult all day, weekday, lift ticket. The blood bank is open from 9am to 7:30pm on Tuesday and no appointments are needed.
As an added bonus one lucky donor Tuesday will win an overnight stay at the Peek for a family that includes 2 day lift tickets for everyone and access to all the great amenities including the spa, indoor pool and play zone.
"The conditions are perfect at the Peek and 100 donors Tuesday will be very glad they came and gave blood!" Says Dan Desrochers director of public relations at the blood bank,"We are so grateful for Peek n Peak's continued commitment to the safety of the blood supply."
Week 5 of the Season of Giving
Christmas week is here and the blood bank is urging people to come donate in preparation for the holiday weekend. The "Season of Giving" promotion continues with the first 50 donors on Tuesday receiving a cute Snowman gift bag filled with some great salon quality products generously donated by Ambridge Rose Spa & Salon.
The Community Blood Bank is open Wednesday, Christmas Eve, from 9 to 1pm and reopens for regulars hours (9 to 6pm) on Friday December 26th.
Donors all week can enter to win a beautiful gift basket filled with salon goodies basket valued at over $250 also from Ambridge Rose.
"We REALLY need a good few days this week at the blood bank," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "The best way to get in to the holiday spirit is by giving. And giving blood is so easy to do."
Week 4 of the Season of Giving
The "Season of Giving" continues at the Community Blood Bank.
This week is Smith's Provision week and Tuesday, the first 60 donors get Smith's newest product, Ham Steaks. These fully cooked pre-sliced Ham Steaks are delicious and very easy to prepare. In 2006, Smith Provision won a national competition with this ham as they placed FIRST out of 506 entries for taste and quality.
Donors all week long can enter to win a beautiful gift basket worth over $250 put together by Smith's Provisions featuring some of their old favorites and more. This package can be sent Fedex any place in the US.
"We need to have a great week this to have a safe Christmas week," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "Now is the time come in and give blood before we have any problems."
Week 3 of the Season of Giving
This week the Community Blood Bank is working with Cutco Cutlery.Cutco has generously donated a set of knives that are worth $516. Donors all week long can enter for a chance to win these amazing knives.
Also, this Tuesday, December 9th, the first 60 donors will receive a poinsettia from Stan's Gardens. Stan's has graciously donated these
poinsettias to help our donors get in the holiday spirit!
During the Season of Giving... Wii Save Lives!!!
Game Crazy on East 38th has donated a Nintendo Wii Gaming System and one lucky donor this week will win it for Christmas! The Wii is still the hottest gift in town and Game Crazy gets shipments every single day and they donated one to help us save lives this busy holiday season.
The first 50 donors on Tuesday will receive two free movie rentals from Hollywood Video located right next to Game Crazy on East 38th Street.
"The Thanksgiving Holiday was tough on the blood supply and we hope to have a busy week," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "Now is the time come in and give blood before you get too busy preparing for the holidays."
THE COMMUNITY BLOOD BANK WILL BE RAFFLING 3 FOUR PACKS OF TICKETS TO UPCOMING, STEELERS, BROWNS AND BILLS GAMES WITH 93.9 THE WOLF.
The fourth annual "Blood Bath" is back and bigger than ever! Fans of the Steelers, Browns and this year, the Bills will be vying for tickets to upcoming NFL games at their teams' home stadium. Donors all week come in and can place their 'vote' for their favorite team by giving blood. One winner will be selected from EACH TEAM to win a four pack of tickets. The games are:
The Steelers team: 4 tickets to the Steelers/Browns on 12/28 in Pittsburgh.
The Browns team: 4 tickets to the Browns/Bengals on 12/21 in Cleveland.
The Bills team: 4 tickets to the Bills/Browns on 11/17 in Buffalo, this is the Monday night Game!
Steel City's newest location at 4001 West Ridge Road will be providing lunch at 26th and Peach Street from noon to 2pm everyday too!
"There are some pretty dedicated fans out there and the Blood Bath is a great way to support your team," Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. "Are you fan enough to bleed for your team?"
Community Blood Bank Supports National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
This October, Community Blood Bank (CBB) is donating $1 for every donor to the John Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation. Everyone who signs in to donate blood the entire month of October at the 2646 Peach Street location will represent a $1 donation in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
John Kanzius, an Erie native, has invented the Kanzius RF (radio frequency) Therapy, which has shown remarkably positive results in the pursuit of a cure for cancer. CBB is excited about Kanzius’ discovery and wants to contribute to furthering his research.
Every pint of blood can save up to three lives because a whole blood donation includes red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Platelets are used almost exclusively for cancer patients, as this product aids in the recovery from the effects of chemotherapy. In fact, 20 percent of all blood products benefit cancer patients directly.
“Here at the Community Blood Bank we know how much blood and blood products are needed for cancer treatment,” says Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “This promotion is an aid in keeping a safe and adequate blood supply for current cancer patients and will assist with research to help future cancer patients in need of treatment.”
Everyone who signs in to donate at CBB will be able to see their contribution. Each donor will receive a breast cancer awareness sticker and a pink pompom, which will be collected in a display vase. Together, these pompoms represent the collective effort of a generous Erie County. In addition, donors from Oct. 1-8 will be eligible to win tickets for the For Women Only Expo, which will take place on Oct. 10-12.If you would like to donate directly to the John Kanzius fund you can visit his website at: www.kanziuscancerresearch.com.
Age Requirement Changed to 16 years old
The Community Blood Bank has lifted the eligible donating age limit from 17 years of age to 16 years of age with a signed parental consent form. This regulation was put in place by the FDA and is now taking affect in Pennsylvania. All the requirements for donating blood will remain the same: must be in general good health, must weigh 110 pounds, no tattoos or piercings from a tattoo parlor in the past year and must bring Photo I.D. All 16 year old donors must present a signed parental consent for at the time of their donation.
While only 5% of the eligible population donates, reaching out to the 16 year old age group will widen the donation pool for the Community Blood Bank. This will allow for new donors and hopefully help to prevent blood shortages at the Community Blood Bank.
Click here to download a consent form.
Preseason Reason to Give Blood Winner!
Gannon student Jon Atkinson was the winner of the Community Blood Bank’s “Pre-Season Reason to Donate Blood” promotion with WICU-12, which ran Aug. 1-31. Every person who attempted to donate blood in that timeframe was automatically entered to win a 42-inch flatscreen, HD-Plasma Vizio television. Atkinson’s name was chosen from a series of randomly selected numbers assigned to date, location and region.
Atkinson had to make two trips to pick up his large prize because the television wouldn’t fit in the first vehicle he brought.
“It was so generous of Jon to come in and donate in August,” says Deanna Renaud, mobile drive coordinator for the Community Blood Bank. “We know how busy students are preparing for the beginning of school, but this is a time when the local blood supply is usually low.
Blogger's Week 2008
Blogger's Week is back from August 17th-23rd. ErieBlogs.com has teamed up with the Community Blood Bank again this year to recruit our techno savvy donors to come in and donate. This year we have a great prize. All donors how sign in on behalf of thier blog will be entered to win an I-phone courtesy of the Community Blood Bank and ErieBlogs.com. Also, the blog with the most donors will win a wonderful gift basket full of prizes donated by local businesses. Don't forget, when you sign in you will also be registered to win our 42" HD-Plasma Televsion set!
Preseason Reason to
Give Blood
Football Season will be starting soon and WICU 12 is broadcasting all of this year's games in Hi Def. What will you be watching it on? The Preseason Reason to Give Blood promotion will reward one lucky donor with a 42" HD-Plasma TV just in time for football season. This contest euns from August 1st through August 31st adn is intended to help the blood bank maintain a safe blood supply during the month of August.
"This TV is big and beautiful and watching all the games in Hi-Def will be amazing!" said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank. "We are hoping for a safe month for everyone. Please do your part by donating blood."
Critical Blood Shortage
More donors wanted
ERIE, PA - The Critical blood shortage continues into its second week. The blood supply remains at critically low levels, with type O Positive, the most common type with 38% of the population having it, the lowest. Average and below average donor turnout for the past 10 days or so has been coupled with extraordinarily heavy blood usage to create this situation. There is no single event to point at, just across the board heavy usage by local patients.
“With summer in full swing our concerns now are for the patients who will need blood in the near future,” says Dan Desrochers Director of Marketing at the Community Blood Bank. “We want people to know that helping out is fast and easy and giving blood really does matter to local patients.”
For the week of June 23rd - June 28th
The Great Gas Give Away
Country Fair has stepped up to help with the local blood shortage by donating 55 $20 gas cards to be given at random to blood donors all this week at the Community Blood Bank's fixed site at 26th and Peach in Erie.
The Great Gas Give Away encourages people to come and give blood to the Community Blood Bank to help end the local blood shortage. Country Fair made this tremendous donation because they know the importance of keeping the blood supply safe.
Starting today, 10 donors will be chosen at random each day to win a gas card when they sign up to save a life. And 5 will be given on Saturday!
"We are so grateful for Country Fair's generosity." Said Dan Desrochers, Director of Marketing at the blood bank, "So drive on down, top off the blood supply and maybe get a gas card from Country Fair to top off your tank!"
Union City High School Wins Scholarship Competition
Union City High School recently won the Community Blood Bank Scholarship Competition. Out of 17 participating high schools in Erie County, Union City High School won with an average blood drive participation rate of 56%. The school was awarded $1,000, which it divided between two senior students. Pictured from left are Michael Zarger, teacher and blood donor chairperson for Union City High School, recipient Larkyn Long and recipient Caylee Gross.
Major Construction at the Blood Bank...
The Community Blood Bank is growing again, this time the facility at 26th and Peach is expanding. Local contractors; Considine Biebel and Company, is handling the two floor addition at the rear of the blood bank which is being done primarily to expand the laboratory to accommodate a new testing technology. The four month project, expected to be completed by August will cost over $300,000. This construction will allow the CBB to do all blood testing locally, ending the need to ship certain testing to Florida as is done now. This will reduce the time it takes from when a person donates blood to when the blood gets to the hospital by half and will improve patient safety at area hospitals.
The new technologies are called the Abbott PRISM, which will replace the current testing platform in place at the CBB, and the very sensitive Nucleic Acid Testing equipment (NAT) for HIV, HCV, and West Nile Virus are currently being sent to Florida.
41st Annual Donor Dinner...
Melissa Schweitzer speaking at the Donor Dinner
The Community Blood Bank held its 41st annual Donor Dinner at the Bel Aire in Erie Thursday, April 17th at 7pm. This year’s dinner theme was “Taking a Closer Look”. The guest speaker, Melissa Schweitzer, is a mother who takes a medicine called I.V.I.G. that is made from blood plasma. Last year the CBB provided over 3,500 Liters of plasma to make this miracle drug.
Roman Kloecker receiving his 95 gallon award plaque, also picture (from the left) Jacky Kocz - Executive Director , Bernie Myers- Head of Donor Operations and Natalie Dwyer-Haller- President of the CBB Board.
The CBB set a record with a 260+ person crowd. The annual dinner is held to recognize those people who give so selflessly to the community by giving blood. Those who were honored have all met a Milestone in blood donations: 5,10,15, 20 and so on up to 95 gallons were honored. Donor Chair People (those who coordinate blood drives at their place of business or other community location) were also recognized for their efforts to keep the local blood supply safe.
In 2007, over 10,000 local patients in Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York received blood and blood products from the generous donors to the Community Blood Bank.
Give To Get Away promotion winner...
Congratulations to...
Karen Pease from Wellsville NY
Karen is tentatively planning two trips with her prize, one to visit Yankee stadium in New York City before it is replaced in 2009 and also to Albuquerque New Mexico for a balloon rally...more
Wal-Mart employees donate...
The West-side Wal-Mart recently donated $885 to the Community Blood Bank through "Volunteerism Matters," a grant that recognizes volunteerism throughout the company. Wal-Mart employees donated at five blood drives hosted by the store during 2007. The Community Blood Bank will use the money on a new ultra-crit machine, which tests iron levels in donors. From left are Eric Hosack, Wal-Mart assistant manager; Deanna Renaud, mobile drive coordinator at the Community Blood Bank; and Alice Wuenschel, blood donor chairperson for
Wal-Mart. Click here for a picture...
Husband and wife duo saves lives together!
Husband and wife team Mary and Mike Schleicher both donate platelets on Friday January 11th 2008 at the Community Blood Bank. They have been happily married for 25 years...more
