NEXCARE™ BRAND AND AMERICA’S BLOOD CENTERS CELEBRATE WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY WITH SECOND ANNUAL NEXCARE GIVE PROGRAM
This Nationwide Initiative Encouraging Blood Donation comes to Life in Bakersfield at Houchin Community Blood Bank
Many Americans may consider giving blood to be an important act of community service, however, less than 10 percent donate on an annual basis. Incredibly, if just one percent more donated–less than four million Americans–the nation’s blood shortages would disappear for the foreseeable future. To help close this gap, NexcareTM Brand and America’s Blood Centers announce the second annual Nexcare give program, a nationwide blood donation initiative centered around World Blood Donor Day, Monday, June 14th, and extending through Sunday, June 20th.
With the support of hundreds of participating community blood centers, including Houchin Community Blood Bank, the Nexcare give program inspires Americans with a message of hope, and helps to spread the word by distributing limited-edition Nexcare Bandages marked with the word give. A symbol for the cause, these high-performance diamond-shaped Nexcare give Bandages serve as a badge of honor for blood donors and encourage others to get involved.
Made in the U.S.A., the 2010 Nexcare give Bandages are inspired by both the patriotic act of giving blood as well as Flag Day, which will also be recognized on June 14, 2010. This collection of three Nexcare Bandages, designed with the patriotic colors of red, white and blue, are adorned with stars and stripes to represent the everyday hero in each American who commits to saving lives by donating blood.
Residents of Bakersfield are encouraged to help Houchin Community Blood Bank celebrate World Blood Donor Day and receive a give bandage by visiting their local center at:
Houchin Community Blood Bank
5901 Truxtun Avenue
661-323-4222
For those unable to visit Houchin Community Blood Bank, or another center within the America’s Blood Centers network, the Nexcare Brand has launched a website, www.nexcare.com/give, where visitors can register to receive a free sample of Nexcare give Bandages, as well as get more information and share their own blood donation story.
“We are passionate about this noble cause and committed to raising awareness and recognition in our communities,” said Ty Silberhorn, vice president and general manager, 3M Consumer Health Care Division. “Our goal with the Nexcare give program in 2010 is to reach even more Americans nationwide with a message of thanks for donating blood, a symbol of hope for those who need blood every day, and a call to action for others to get involved.”
World Blood Donor Day comes at an important time each year. As local blood centers face “summer shortages,” the nation’s blood supply comes under strain due to fewer donations because of increased vacation schedules and other seasonal distractions that tend to take place in the summer months. World Blood Donor Day reminds Americans to donate and enables them to help make an impact in reducing these shortages.
“Here in Bakersfield and throughout Kern County the need for blood donors has never been as important as it is now. We are currently struggling to keep an adequate blood supply as we enter these summer months. Kern County Donors are very loyal to Houchin Community Blood Bank. We appreciate their generosity and dedication to the patients that we serve…they truly are heroes. We know how Kern County rallies together as a community and so now, more than ever, we ask each person to consider that giving one hour of their time can save up to three lives,” comments Greg Gallion, CEO of Houchin Community Blood Bank. “Realizing this, the staff and volunteers at Houchin Community Blood Bank look forward to the Nexcare give program with great pride and enthusiasm, as we not only help to thank and encourage blood donors nationwide, but use the message to make a real impact right here in our local community.”
The 2010 Nexcare give program kicks-off on Monday, June 14th with World Blood Donor Day. Throughout that week, Houchin Community Blood Bank will distribute limited-edition Nexcare give Bandages, as well as host local events. For more information or to request additional bandages at no cost, visit www.nexcare.com/give.
For additional information about America’s Blood Centers go to www.americasblood.org
For additional information about Nexcare Bandages, made by 3M, go to www.nexcare.com.
3M and Nexcare are trademarks of 3M.
