Suncoast Blood Bank Donates Retiring Bloodmobile
The Safe Blood Africa Project to Promote Voluntary Blood Donation in Nigeria
Sarasota, FL – Everyday people around the world rely on safe blood for critical surgeries and long-term medical treatments. In countries in the African region such as Nigeria, more than 50% of the blood supply is still dependent on family members and paid blood donors. Systems based on blood donation by the family and friends of patients are rarely able to meet demands for blood, while paid “donation” poses serious threats to the health and safety of the recipients as well as the donors themselves. That’s why SunCoast Blood Bank is teaming up with global health company, Abbott, to launch BE THE 1™ to inspire Nigerians to become voluntary blood donors.
Abbott and SunCoast Blood Bank were approached by The Safe Blood Africa Project to assist with the organization’s mission to improve the safety and increase the availability of blood in Nigeria. SunCoast Blood Bank and Abbott are sponsoring the shipment of the BE THE 1™ Donor Blood Mobile truck to Nigeria to inspire the population to become lifelong, voluntary blood donors. A documentary team will follow the bloodmobile to Nigeria to tell its story.
As part of the global effort, SunCoast donated a bloodmobile slated for retirement to the National Blood Transfusion Service in Ibadan, Nigeria. The bloodmobile has a new exterior design featuring football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, the ambassador for Abbott’s BE THE 1™ movement. The Real Madrid soccer star hopes to inspire young people to help save lives by becoming lifelong blood donors. Ronaldo has been a supporter of blood donation and a regular donor since he was 24 years old.
About SunCoast Blood Bank – SunCoast Blood Bank is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, providing a reliable supply of safe blood products and services to our community for 66 years. SCBB provides 100% of the blood products and services for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Complex Care Hospital at Ridgelake, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, Surgery Center at St. Andrews Venice, North Port Emergency Room, Fawcett Memorial Hospital of Port Charlotte, Englewood Community Hospital, DeSoto Memorial Hospital and Bayflite 2. SUncoast is recognized as a distinguished provider with outstanding customer service and the ability to provide rare blood services onsite. For SCBB donor locations and more information, visit www.scbb.org or call 1-866-97-BLOOD.
