Appointments still available for Kaua‘i blood drive

WAIPOULI — The Blood Bank of Hawai‘i and the Hawai‘i Foodbank “Give Blood. End Hunger” campaign opened Monday at the Sheraton Kaua‘i Coconut Beach Resort, and is available for donations through Wednesday afternoon.

For each blood donation made during the month of December, the BBH will donate the cost of a meal to the Hawai‘i Foodbank that is currently reporting more than a 50% increase in food distribution over pre-pandemic levels.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i for their continued support for Hawai‘i Foodbank,” said Amy Marvin, foodbank president and CEO.

“Through Blood Bank of Hawai‘i’s creativity and partnership, Hawai‘i Foodbank is able to provide safe food access to more families facing food insecurity during this holiday season. We extend our gratitude and aloha to Blood Bank of Hawai‘i and their donors for making such a tremendous impact in the community.”

The holiday season is particularly demanding for the essential services that both agencies provide, states the campaign announcement that was done on Giving Tuesday. The Give Blood. End Hunger campaign hopes to generate 4,900 donations for each organization this month. Despite chronic local and national blood-supply shortages these past few months, the BBH’s collection goal of 4,923 donations represents 62 more donations than were received in December of last year. “This is one of the Blood Bank of Hawai‘i’s favorite ways to give back to the community while expressing our appreciation for the important work of Hawai‘i Foodbank, its staff and volunteers,” said Todd Lewis, BBH chief operating officer. “Our donors are amazingly generous, and we appreciate them so much.”

Appointments for blood donors are still available by registering online at bbb.org, or calling 808-848-4770.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.