San Diego Blood Bank Announces Sempra Energy Foundation's 'Lead Gift' Toward the Blood Bank's Disaster Preparedness Fund

The San Diego Blood Bank is proud to announce Sempra Energy Foundation’s recent “lead gift” of $10,000 towards the San Diego Blood Bank’s Disaster Preparedness Fund. 

As the designated Southern Area Operations Center, the San Diego Blood Bank is the organization responsible for ensuring that blood is distributed to all 175 hospitals in Southern California, in the event of a major statewide disaster.  The San Diego Blood Bank is the primary supplier of blood for the majority of hospitals in San Diego and Imperial counties and supplies hospitals in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties as well.   

The Disaster Preparedness Fund will enable the San Diego Blood Bank to install and utilize such critically important programs and equipment as Advanced Donor Screening which helps process very large numbers of donors quickly and safely during times of medical disaster. It will also help fund critically important communications systems that will help ensure immediate contact with emergency centers, hospitals, and trauma facilities. In addition, it will help secure anti-terrorist equipment and enhance overflow storage and distribution needs in the event of a major medical disaster.   

The creation of the Blood Bank’s Disaster Preparedness Fund is strategic planning at its best and reflects the organization’s desire to anticipate challenges and respond to unmet needs.  Historically, the San Diego Blood Bank has been able to meet its general operating needs through fee for service and annual charitable giving programs.  The challenge lies in covering the non-recurring costs that arise during the year due to unforeseen community emergencies, new medical regulatory requirements and emerging health threats such as wildfires, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, and more.   

Sempra Energy Foundation’s commitment to our community is evident in their generous support of the San Diego Blood Bank’s lifesaving programs.   

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, in generally good health and weighs at least 110 pounds may qualify to donate blood.  To make an appointment or for more information about the San Diego Blood Bank, please call 1-800-4MY-SDBB or visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org.