Like many Santa Barbara businesses, United Blood Services was forced to close down its center for several days during the Jesusita Fire, which also put a halt to several blood drives.
These events, coupled with the upcoming Memorial Day holiday, make it imperative to boost the local blood supply, according to a recent press release from United Blood Services.
To be ready for the holiday, the organization wants to collect more than 4,000 pints of blood before the Memorial Day weekend. Since launching its 4,000-pint challenge on May 4, USB has collected 1,884 pints.
USB is accepting all types of blood, but reports being critically low on types O Negative and A Negative.
The Santa Maria United Blood office, located at 1770 S. Broadway, is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All volunteer blood donors in Santa Maria will receive gift certificate to Mike’s Jersey Subs for a free sub sandwich, drink, and chips.
For more information on donating blood, call United Blood Services at 928-2546 or visit blood4life.org.
This article appears in May 21-28, 2009.