SARASOTA/BRADENTON, FL – With large parking lots and heavy donor and shopper traffic, Goodwill Manasota is a natural partner for SunCoast Blood Centers (SCBC), which is always seeking new locations for blood drives. To help SCBC in its mission to provide a reliable supply of blood to hospitals and health centers in need, Goodwill has offered three locations – two in Bradenton and one in North Port – for SCBC to park its bloodmobiles one Sunday per month through the end of the year.
The first of the upcoming collection events takes place on Sunday, March 28 from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The three locations are Goodwill’s Corporate Campus (2705 51st Ave. E., Bradenton), Ranch Lake (8750 E. State Rd. 70, Bradenton) and North Port (14879 Tamiami Tr.).
While appointments are recommended, walk-ins will be accepted; photo ID required. Every person who donates blood will receive a $10 Goodwill gift card.
According to SunCoast Blood Centers, 1 in 7 people entering the hospital need blood and it can’t be artificially made. The organization must collect 47,000 units annually to meet the demand of local hospitals and patients. SCBC operates five blood donor centers in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch and Port Charlotte, and maintains a fleet of nine bloodmobiles for donor convenience. Each donation of blood can potentially save up to three lives.
“We are thrilled to embark on this new collaborative effort while helping to raise awareness and increase vital resources for such a crucial organization in our region,” said Bob Rosinsky, president and CEO of Goodwill Manasota. “We are particularly happy that the collections of blood from the community by SunCoast Blood Centers primarily stay local, benefiting the people who live and work here.”
Upcoming dates include April 18, May 16 and June 13; complete list of 2021 dates is available, along with a link to make an appointment, on Goodwill’s website: experiencegoodwill.org/events.
About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With philanthropic donations and revenue generated by the sales of donated goods, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities, veterans, seniors, and those with other barriers to employment by providing jobs, job skills training, and free career services. For more information or for a listing of locations, visit experiencegoodwill.org or call 941-355-2721.