BankAtlantic raises awareness about blood donation

FORT LAUDERDALE — BankAtlantic is partnering with the Community Blood Centers of South Florida to help raise awareness about blood donation this holiday season and urge the public to make time to donate blood.

Blood supplies often run low this time of year because of increased need and the shopping, travelling and festivities associated with the holidays make it difficult for people to take the time to donate. In fact, the holiday season marks the time of year when the need for blood donation is at its greatest as well as the need for blood and blood products.

Many children and family members across South Florida are treated daily for cancer, surgeries or other illnesses, requiring hospitals to have thousands of pints of blood and blood products available. These blood products can only come from healthy volunteer donors.

“Although economic times are tight this year, this is a free and very easy way for everyone to give back to their community. Every healthy individual should consider giving one more gift this holiday season – the gift of life,” BankAtlantic CEO Jarett Levan said.

Did you know:

Someone needs blood every three seconds.
Your one donation can save up to three lives!
Three gallons of blood are used every minute in the U.S.
One out of ten hospital patients needs blood and no viable substitute for blood has ever been found.
Blood centers often run short of type O blood more than the other types.
Although 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, only 10 percent do.
If all blood donors gave two to four times a year, it would help prevent shortages.

“Community Blood Centers of South Florida (CBCSF) is a non-profit, all volunteer blood collection agency. Each year, CBCSF collects over 250,000 pints of blood and blood products for hospital and kidney dialysis patients. We can’t do it without your help,” commented George "Bud" Scholl, Chairman of CBCSF. “Please contact one of our Blood Centers or roll up your sleeve when you see one of our bloodmobiles. You can give a gift that can truly make a difference and also last a lifetime.”

The Blood Center operates 15 donor centers which are conveniently located throughout South Florida in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. In addition, 50 bloodmobiles travel throughout Southeast and Central Florida on a scheduled basis visiting businesses, places of worship, government agencies and schools. If you would like to arrange for a bloodmobile to visit your organization, please contact our Donor Resources department at (954) 777-2626 in Broward; (305) 398-0400 in Miami-Dade;(800) 504-5550 in Palm Beach; (888) 677-3988 in the Greater Orlando area; or toll-free at (888) 454-2362 or (800)-879-5020.