Last month, the Cedar Sinai Hospital had their annual Blood Donor Appreciation Reception, where they honored all their new and old blood donors. Stephen has been donating blood, and platelets for over a year now, so we were invited as well. The hospital served some really awesome food, and a few people spoke to thank the donors, to share their stories, and to honor the ones that saved their lives.

The founder of the Cedar Sinai Hospital Blood Donor Facility also had a few stories to tell. What was shocking to me to learn, that the first two major incidents that require blood transfer are car related accidents. I’m not kidding. The number one accident that the hospital treats is car on car accidents, and the second is car on pedestrian accidents. And these accidents usually require surgery, where blood transfusion is needed.

With that in thought, I think, that everybody who gets a drivers license, should be required to donate blood or plasma at least once a year. Why not? I think it’s a good idea. There is a shortage of blood, and there is no substitute for it. The need for blood has accelerated due to advances in medicine, rapidly aging population, and a reduction in eligible donors due to stricter requirements. It is estimated, that one out of every 20 Americans will require blood transfusion at some point in their lives. So it’s time to do some bleeding voluntarily, because you never know, when you will need those bloody volunteers for yourself.

Cedar Sinai has always special programs and incentives to draw people in to donate. If this is what it takes to bring out the good in people, then so be it. Just bring on the goodies, and get people bleeding.

The Blood Donor Center is very nice, clean, and the people are super friendly! I was at a Red Cross donor center before, and I wouldn’t go back. Cendar Sinai is not selling their blood, they use it for their own patients. You have trained staff taking care of you, and many of them donate themselves. The staff is pretty much the same, so they will remember you, when you come back. And you will be served cookies and juices afterwards

No matter when you donate though, you will always get a Movie Theater Pass or a Meal Ticket, and always some Raffle Opportunities. Movie Theatre Passes are for selected AMC or Pacific Theaters, and the Meal Ticket is for Baja Fresh.

Between August 1st and September 16th the raffle is a $50 Shell Card for donating or for referring a friend (5 winners will be drawn.)

If you donate 3 times in a row through October 31st, 2006, you will receive a $50 American Express gift card!

If you would like to donate blood and win free stuff, call John at 310.423.2637 or email him at barrjx@cshs.org and if you’d like to donate platelets, call Karyn at 310.423.2416 or email her at hardawayk@cshs.org.

To find out if you’re eligible and about the Blood Donor Center, go to www.cedars-sinai.edu.