The San Diego Blood Bank Offers Donors the Opportunity to Send "Winter Wishes" Stuffed Reindeer to Local Hospital Patients Over the Holidays!

The San Diego Blood Bank is encouraging people to make patients’ holiday wishes come true by donating blood and using the points they accrue through the blood bank’s “Difference in Life” loyalty program to purchase an adorable Winter Wishes Stuffed Reindeer that will be sent to a patient spending the holidays at Grossmont Hospital.The Winter Wishes program, presented by Grossmont Healthcare District, gives blood donors another way to connect with the patients whose lives they are impacting by donating blood. The plush stuffed reindeer will be available on the San Diego Blood Bank’s Life Saver online store from Monday, November 29, through Tuesday, December 15, while supplies last.  Members of the blood bank’s “Difference in Life” program earn points for each blood donation that can be redeemed on the online store. In 2007, the Winter Wishes stuffed animal was the most popular store item!This year’s Winter Wishes Reindeer will be hand delivered to patients at Grossmont Hospital on Wednesday, December 16.  “Last year the Winter Wishes stuffed animals brought such joy to patients who were spending the holidays in the hospital,” said Barry Jantz, Chief Executive Officer of the Grossmont Healthcare District.  “We are proud to partner with the San Diego Blood Bank to help ensure lifesaving blood is always available for patients who depend on it.” 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