UCSF Inner Sunset Blood Drive a Success
Overcast weather did not prevent residents of San Francisco's Sunset district from donating blood during the first-ever UCSF Medical Center blood drive at the Inner Sunset Merchant Association's annual sidewalk celebration and sale on May 20.
The blood drive was a joint effort of UCSF Medical Center and the Inner Sunset Merchant Association (ISMA).
UCSF Medical Center has an ongoing need for blood donations. The hospital uses more than 50,000 components of blood each year, which translates into more than 100 components each day. This need prompted Craig Dawson, president of ISMA and a member of UCSF's Community Advisory Group, to invite UCSF's Blood Center to participate in their annual event.
Dawson was excited with the success of the blood drive. "The merchants were very pleased with the community response to the blood drive, and we have ideas to increase the number of donors for the next blood drive," he said. "The blood drive was an excellent way to make the Inner Sunset aware of UCSF's Blood Center, which is within walking distance of the business district for anyone wishing to donate."
Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who represents the Inner Sunset neighborhood, co-sponsored the drive and donated blood. Mirkarimi praised the partnership between the Inner Sunset merchants and UCSF. "Blood drives are important because having an adequate supply of blood is essential for our community, especially given the fact that summer is fast approaching and we live in a highly active seismic region."
More than 20 individuals donated their blood during the event. Jean Katz, senior supervisor of UCSF's Blood Center, was thrilled with the response from the Inner Sunset community. She said that UCSF will be conducting more community blood drives, and will be partnering with merchant and community-based organizations to help ensure participation of San Francisco residents.
Katz noted that the need for blood is great, and volunteers are always encouraged to visit the Blood Center to donate blood. The UCSF Blood Center is located in room MU09 on the Millberry Union "I" level on the UCSF Parnassus campus. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Photo by Elisabeth Fall
The blood drive was a joint effort of UCSF Medical Center and the Inner Sunset Merchant Association (ISMA).
UCSF Medical Center has an ongoing need for blood donations. The hospital uses more than 50,000 components of blood each year, which translates into more than 100 components each day. This need prompted Craig Dawson, president of ISMA and a member of UCSF's Community Advisory Group, to invite UCSF's Blood Center to participate in their annual event.
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| San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, left, who represents District 5, chats with resident Mike Nelson, while Joanie Hamasaki of the UCSF Blood Center draws his blood. |