The Blood Bank of Hawaii is recruiting blood donors this summer, when donations are typically down 15% to 20%.
The blood bank typically needs about 150 donors a day to meet nationwide needs, and hopes a campaign in partnership with nonprofit HUGS will help collect at least 4,000 new and returning donors a month to help stem the decline.
In particular, the blood bank needs universal donors with group O-negative blood, which is currently in short supply.
Ticket sales for the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra’s outdoor “Ohana Concert” on Wednesday at the Waikiki Shell will support the blood bank. Donors who have donated 150 times or more have been invited to the VIP area.
Tickets for the 7:30pm concert, featuring hits from the music career of John Williams and acclaimed conductor and Punahou School graduate Sarah Hicks, go on sale online or at the box office from 6:30pm on Wednesday.
From now through August 31, donations of blood, platelets and plasma can help HUGS or Help, Understanding & Group Support minister to seriously ill Keiki and their families.
Each blood donation equates to a “hug” or funding for the nonprofit, according to BBH, which will be used for hospital amenity kits, peer support programs or airfare assistance.
On Oahu, donors can make an appointment at one of five locations: Young Street Donor Center, Dillingham Donor Center, or Blood Mobile at Kapolei Commons, Waikele Center, and Windward Mall.
Donors from neighboring islands can participate in the #GiveBlood4HUGS campaign when BBH visits Kona, Maui and Kauai in June, July and August.
Healthy donors interested in donating blood must register at bbh.org or by calling 808-848-4770. Visit bbh.org/hugshawaii for updates on the HUGS partnership.
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