HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-09-14 Blood Bank of Hawaii Resumes Collections in Hawaii County -- press release
September 14, 2020
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contacts – MVNP on behalf of Blood Bank of Hawai‘i:
Kashmira Reid, (808) 784-3648, (808) 389-3771; kreid@mvnp.com
Blood Bank of Hawaii Returns To Hawai‘i Island;
Debuts New Website and Type-O Campaign
In order to maintain a sufficient and diverse inventory of blood products for our state, Blood
Bank of Hawai‘i continues its transition back to the Neighbor Islands. Collection teams will return
to Hilo for the first time since March on September 22 through 24. Plans to host a Kona drive
are underway, with dates yet to be confirmed.
In Hilo, collections will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Hilo Stake
Cultural Hall, with hours of operation varying by day:
Tuesday, Sept. 22 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
In addition to whole blood donations, healthy donors who have a lab-confirmed COVID-19
diagnosis and have been symptom-free for 28 days may contact Blood Bank of Hawai‘i to learn
how they can donate their plasma.
“We are grateful for the good work that the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i does, and we’re glad that in
this time of the pandemic, that they are stepping up to provide their vital service to our
community,” said Mayor Harry Kim.
“We are exceedingly grateful to Mayor Kim for giving us permission to host our Hawai‘i Island
drives this fall,” said Todd Lewis, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i chief operations officer. “Our staff is
excited to return, and will do everything possible to make saving lives a safe and enjoyable
experience.”
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In time for increased Neighbor Island registrations, Blood Bank of Hawai‘i launched a new,
updated website this week. The new bbh.org provides a more engaging digital experience for
donors and supporters with many new features. The online redesign now allows donors to find
and register for a drive on the home page; shares donor and employee stories; and includes a
searchable list of our state’s top donors.
A special call to action for donors with type O blood has been added because Hawai‘i
experiences a chronically low supply of this blood type. To stabilize the local supply, Blood Bank
of Hawai‘i is rallying O-negative and O-positive donors. While all blood is needed, O-negative
blood is the highest in demand because it’s accepted by everyone, and O-positive blood can be
used by anyone with a positive blood type - which is about 80% of local residents. For more
information, download the “O-Type People Unite” tool kit here.
Blood Bank of Hawaii
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Donors interested in giving blood on Hawai‘i Island or O‘ahu may register at bbh.org or call 808-
848-4770. In September, donors will receive a coupon for a free taco, courtesy of Taco Bell.
At all locations, additional COVID-19 protocols and procedures recommended by the FDA and
CDC will be followed. As a reminder, an appointment is required, as walk-ins can no longer be
accommodated. Individuals with questions about operations during the COVID-19 pandemic
may visit bbh.org/COVID-19 or connect via social media, @BloodBankHawaii.
About Blood Bank of Hawaii
Founded in 1941, BBH is a non-profit organization committed to providing a safe and reliable
supply of blood, blood products and related transfusion services to Hawaii’s patients. BBH is
licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, accredited by AABB, and a
founding member of America’s Blood Centers, the nation’s largest network of community-based
blood programs. For more information, visit BBH.org.
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