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Moe’s Southwest Grill® Collaborates with TBC for Multi-Region Blood Drive

Moe’s Southwest Grill® Collaborates with TBC for Multi-Region Blood Drive

Sep 16, 2019 | News

The Blood Connection and Moe’s Southwest Grill® Collaborate for Give Mo’, Get Moe’s Multi-Region Blood Drive  

The Blood Connection (TBC) and Moe’s Southwest Grill® are working together to save lives in their shared communities. While Moe’s has been a consistent partner with TBC over the years, this is the first time the brand has done a multi-region blood drive. The collaboration is an example of how a relationship between a nationwide restaurant and local non-profit can benefit the community.

“TBC is excited that Moe’s has come alongside us to help accomplish our mission of saving local lives. The restaurant’s enthusiasm to engage and educate its customers about blood donation is crucial to our communities’ blood supply,” said TBC President & CEO, Delisa English.

The Give Mo’, Get Moe’s mobile promotion with be held on Monday, September 23. Blood mobiles will be at eleven Moe’s locations in the Carolinas for a collective blood drive from 4-8 p.m. All mobile blood donors will receive a Moe’s gift card. Participating Moe’s locations can be found at thebloodconnection.org/moes. Donors who give blood at any TBC center on a Monday in September will also receive a Moe’s gift card. Because of support from businesses like Moe’s and dedicated blood donors, TBC is able to provide a safe and steady blood supply to local hospitals. One blood donation can help save up to three lives.

Donors can visit any TBC center in the Upstate and Lowcountry of South Carolina, and Raleigh and Asheville in North Carolina: 435 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC; 341 Old Abbeville Highway, Greenwood, SC; 5116 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC; 1308 Sandifer Boulevard, Seneca, SC; 270 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC; 5870 Core Road, North Charleston, SC; 225 Airport Rd, Arden, NC; 5925 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC. Centers are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Charleston location is open 1 to 6 p.m.

Any school, organization, or business interested in hosting a blood drive can visit the TBC website for more information: thebloodconnection.org. A blood drive can be hosted from almost anywhere with inside equipment and mobile buses. TBC encourages other well-known brands to get involved locally.

TBC Joins Jordan’s Journey

TBC Joins Jordan’s Journey

Sep 9, 2019 | cBlog, Education, Host Spotlight, News, Testimonials

Jordan’s Journey: #jj33strong

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In June, 15-year-old Jordan Freeman was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Because blood transfusions are an important part of her treatments, Jordan’s father, Mark Freeman, has led the charge to host blood drives in the area since Jordan’s diagnosis. Mark is is a Spartanburg County Deputy and well known in the community. The hashtag above has been the symbol of Jordan’s fight against the disease.

As her father explained on Facebook about the diagnosis: “She has been put on a 21 day cycle of treatment, days 1-3 is spent in the hospital receiving Chemo meds through an IV Port she had surgically implanted, on days 4-7 she will be at home taking oral meds, on day 8 she will have to go back to the Hospital for additional meds to be given through her port, on days 9-21 she will be home again taking oral meds, then it will start again for 5 cycles, 3 days in the hospital, home, 1 day at the hospital, 7 days at home, etc…We want to thank everyone for their outpouring of love and support, and appreciate all the support we have already received.”

Through the TBC Donor Benefit Plan, donors who gave blood during the “Jordan’s Journey” blood drives will be giving back to Jordan’s recovery by replenishing the local blood supply. Those blood donations will also help Jordan’s family pay for her treatments. At the latest collective blood drive in Jordan’s honor, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, and Fox Carolina teamed up. Those blood drives collected 70 donations, enough to help save the lives of more than 200 people, just like Jordan!

Jordan’s unexpected diagnosis is an example of how blood products need to be available at any time, for any patient. That means community donors must give on a regular basis. When Jordan needed blood products, they were available because donors knew it was worth the time to donate blood. TBC is asking the rest of the community to do the same for Jordan and other hospital patients like her in the Upstate.

Find a blood drive near you today. Click here to learn more about the Donor Benefit Plan. To follow along with Jordan Journey, like her Facebook page.

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Hurricane Dorian Threatens Local Blood Supply

Hurricane Dorian Threatens Local Blood Supply

Sep 2, 2019 | Education, News

Hurricane Dorian Threatens Local Blood Supply

GREENVILLE, S.C. – As evacuations begin for those in the path of Hurricane Dorian, The Blood Connection has also been forced to move its coastal resources out of the Charleston area. Any resources used to collect blood in that area have been moved to Greenville, SC. More blood drives will be added in order to support the areas where TBC is unable to collect donations during the storm. Most likely, Charleston blood drives will be canceled throughout the week since the buses have been moved.

“We are in a critical time window now to get the donations we need before the hurricane so there is no worry about local supply when it hits, wherever it hits,” said TBC President and CEO, Delisa English. “This is an all hands on deck situation for blood donors. Saving lives is TBC’s everyday responsibility and that doesn’t change when the weather does. Local hospital patients are counting on us.”

Blood donations in the Upstate of South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Raleigh will be even more vital this week to make sure the local blood supply holds steady through the storm. As communities along the East Coast prepare for the hurricane, blood donors in other communities farther inland are being asked to support those unable to donate or have scheduled blood drives because of the hurricane.

TBC will be opening its Anderson Mall location this week as an emergency collections site: Tuesday-Thursday from 3pm-8pm. Donors do not need an appointment.

Buses normally used in the Charleston area have been reassigned to these Upstate locations:

Walmart-Gaffney Tuesday, Sep 3 2-7P
Walmart-Pickens Tuesday, Sep 3 2-7P
Walmart-Taylors Tuesday, Sep 3 2-7P
Furman University (in front of the bookstore) Wednesday, Sep 4 11A-4P
Clemson University (APO @ Core) Wednesday, Sep 4 + Thursday, Sep 5

11A-4P

 

Stay tuned to this page for hours and information about emergency sites. Donors can call 1-800-392-6551 with any questions.

Because of the daily crucial need for blood, TBC must operate 365 days a year. To assure that happens, TBC is a member of two national organizations that focus on disaster preparedness: American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and Blood Centers of America (BCA). TBC send needed blood products to affected areas in coordination with BCA’s national resource sharing program. TBC will also follow any disaster response guidelines coming from AABB during a state of emergency. Management and staff have been reviewing those guidelines as Dorian approaches. While TBC’s priority is to supply its local hospitals first, it also has a responsibility to help other communities in times of crisis. Thank you to all the blood donors who will step up this week to help through the storm!

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Three Local High Schools Respond to Need for Blood

Three Local High Schools Respond to Need for Blood

Aug 20, 2019 | Host Spotlight, News

Three Local High Schools Respond to Need for Blood

GREENVILLE, S.C. – After the tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, The Blood Connection reminded the community to continuously donate blood to maintain an adequate blood supply in the Upstate. Three local high schools responded immediately to that call by hosting blood drives the week of August 12: Powdersville High School, Wren High School (Anderson County), and Palmetto High School (Anderson County). These schools did exactly what TBC hopes the community will do every day: respond to the need for blood.

“The students of Powdersville High, Wren High, and Palmetto High have banned together to support and remember those who have been affected by the recent shootings in our country,” said TBC President and CEO, Delisa English. “At the same time, they also helped save lives right here in their community. They are a true example of making an immediate impact.”

More than 105 donors gave blood at all three blood drives combined. Those donations will help save more than 300 local lives. TBC is proud to share a community with a group of students and staff who step up for their neighbors. Donating blood is a perfect way to do that any day of the week. When donors give with TBC, it stays local. While trauma is the most obvious reason for blood usage, cancer patients are usually the number one recipients of blood products. Donations are also needed for burn victims, premature infants, surgeries, and those with blood disorders, to name a few. When community members share blood, healing happens, and families remain whole. 

Any school, organization, or business interested in hosting a blood drive can visit the TBC website for more information: thebloodconnection.org. A blood drive can be hosted from almost anywhere with inside equipment and mobile buses. TBC’s life-saving mission starts with a willing blood drive host.

Donors can also visit any TBC center in the Upstate of South Carolina and Asheville in North Carolina: 435 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC; 341 Old Abbeville Highway, Greenwood, SC; 5116 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC; 1308 Sandifer Boulevard, Seneca, SC; 270 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC; 225 Airport Rd, Arden, NC. Centers are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m and on the weekends 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TBC is currently experiencing low donor turnout. As summer vacation comes to an end, it’s important to keep in mind that the need for blood doesn’t take a vacation; it never stops. Donors can help support their community by donating blood today. Blood donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be 17 years old or 16 with written parental consent. Donors must bring a valid photo ID. Donors can call (864) 255-5000 with any questions.

The Blood Connection and Outback Steakhouse Partner to Save Lives

The Blood Connection and Outback Steakhouse Partner to Save Lives

Jul 31, 2019 | Host Spotlight, News

The Blood Connection and Outback Steakhouse Partner to Save Lives

For the month of August, The Blood Connection (TBC) and Outback Steakhouse are teaming up to encourage blood donation in their shared communities. Outback Steakhouse’s enthusiasm to partner with TBC will allow the blood center to reach new donors and save more lives. This partnership between the local non-profit and nationwide restaurant is one of the first like it; an example of the dedicated collaboration it takes to support the community’s blood supply.

“TBC is very appreciative that Outback has hopped on board with us. To have a popular nationwide brand embrace what we do is monumental to the communities that TBC serves. Outback is helping us spread the word about our life-giving mission, which means we are going to touch the lives of many hospital patients, together,” said TBC President & CEO, Delisa English. “Caring for our communities takes teamwork.”

 The Outback Give Back promotion starts Thursday, August 1 and ends on Thursday, August 29. Donors who give blood at any TBC center on a Thursday will receive an Outback gift card and a free Bloomin’ Onion® coupon. On August 29, in addition to TBC centers, blood mobiles will be at eighteen Outback Steakhouse locations in the Carolinas for a collective blood drive. Participating Outback locations can be found at thebloodconnection.org/outback.

Donors can visit any TBC center in the Upstate of South Carolina, and Raleigh and Asheville in North Carolina: 435 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC; 341 Old Abbeville Highway, Greenwood, SC; 5116 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC; 1308 Sandifer Boulevard, Seneca, SC; 270 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC; 225 Airport Rd, Arden, NC; 5925 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC. Centers are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

When donors give with TBC, it stays local. While trauma is the most obvious reason for blood usage, cancer patients are usually the number one recipients of blood products. Donations are also needed for burn victims, premature infants, surgeries, and those with blood disorders, to name a few. When community members share blood, healing happens, and families remain whole. 

Help TBC during a critical time as summer comes to an end. Blood donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be 17 years old or 16 with written parental consent. Donors must bring a valid photo ID. Donors can call (864) 255-5000 with any questions.

About Outback Steakhouse®

Outback Steakhouse starts fresh every day to create the flavors that our mates crave. Best known for grilled steaks, the Bloomin’ Onion and a wide variety of chicken and seafood, Outback also offers a wide variety of crisp salads and freshly made soups and sides. New creations and grilled classics, such as Victoria’s Filet Mignon and Perfectly Grilled Salmon, are made from scratch daily using only the highest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Earn up to 50% off every fourth visit by joining Dine Rewards™ at www.dine-rewards.com. For more information, please visit www.outback.com or http://www.facebook.com/outback.

 

Moe’s Southwest Grill® Collaborates with TBC for Multi-Region Blood Drive

Local Blood Center Honors Military Members and Their Families

Jun 25, 2019 | News

Local Blood Center Honors Military Members and Their Families

As another patriotic holiday approaches, The Blood Connection (TBC) would like to recognize its generous blood donors for stepping up during Memorial Day Weekend. Because of those donors, TBC will be donating more than $7,000 to The Blood Center of America’s (BCA) Special Forces Wounded Warrior Fund. The organization helps families of U.S. Special Forces members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq who have been wounded in the line of duty.

TBC held a four-day Fallen Soldiers Blood Drive at seven donation centers from May 24-27. For every blood donor, TBC vowed to give $10 to the BCA Fund. TBC had 708 registered donors, bringing the total monetary donation to $7,080. Although the sacrifice of a blood donor comes nowhere near the sacrifice of a fallen soldier, the patriotic sentiment is similar. TBC thanks those loyal blood donors who were inspired to honor brave military members by saving lives.

“The support from USSOCOM Care Coalition and Patriots like yourselves has been immensely helpful in my fight to get back to doing good work with my team for our great nation. Again, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said a service member helped through the fund.

“Thank you is not enough! People like you is what makes America so great. My family and I appreciate the support and we are humbled by your generosity,” another family echoed about the work of the Care Coalition.

In the spirit of continuing that patriotism, TBC will hold a Freedom Week Blood Drive June 30-July 6. While some will be celebrating the July 4 holiday with fireworks and barbecues, local hospital patients in need of blood transfusions won’t have the same freedom. Blood donations are especially important during this critical time of the summer where TBC typically sees a dip in donor turnout.

“Summer is already a challenging season for the blood supply as schools are out of session and families are taking vacations,” said Delisa K. English, TBC President and CEO. “But the July 4 holiday week is especially difficult as hospitals and trauma centers experience an increase in traffic and need.”

In order to provide local hospitals with enough blood products to save lives, TBC is asking the community to recognize Independence Day in a special way by donating blood. Donors who give blood during Freedom Week will receive a July 4 themed t-shirt and two movie tickets at all mobile drives and centers. 

“While you’re enjoying the holiday, please remember to make a blood donation for your fellow Americans who are depending on blood for surgeries and cancer treatments. Although you may never meet the person who receives your donation, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve helped do something miraculous; save a neighbor’s life,” said English.