St. Vincent's to Host Blood Donation Drive
With Donated Blood Levels Low, Public Encouraged to Participate

   SAN DIEGO – St. Vincent de Paul Village employees will participate in a blood drive for the San Diego Blood Bank and the American Red Cross on Wednesday, August 8, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Village's 815 33rd Street warehouse. The drive's busiest hours will be from 2 to 4 p.m.

   Father Joe Carroll, president of the Village, was compelled to hold the drive after a St. Vincent's staff member in need of blood was turned away because none was available.

   "You always hear there's a shortage of blood, but you never think the well will run dry," says Father Joe. "When I found out about an employee of St. Vincent's who couldn't receive a transfusion because there was no blood available, I knew something had to be done. The staff drive is a step in the right direction."

   Facing shortages of all types of blood, the Blood Bank and the Red Cross have opened the drive to the public.

   "The problem goes beyond one person being turned away," Father Joe says. "It affects all of San Diego and it's everyone's responsibility to ensure the sick and injured members of our community can receive this life-saving gift."

   Designated units collected at Wednesday's drive will be put in a holding account earmarked for St. Vincent's employees and their families if the need for blood products arises.

   Erin Milligan, a St. Vincent's employee, was one of the first to sign up for the effort.

   "The Village has a history of compassion for all of our neighbors in need," she says. "It's only natural that we would extend the same compassion to a fellow employee in crisis as we do to a stranger."

   The summer months are one of the critical periods during the year when blood reserves drop to dangerous levels, according to the San Diego Blood Bank.

   For more information on St. Vincent de Paul Village's blood drive, call (619) 687-1028.

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