Special Events
Special Events: January is National Blood Donor Month
January 2nd, 2012 8:51 AM
At a time when donations are typically low, blood centers across the country recognize January as National Blood Donor Month.
According to America’s Blood Centers, 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year. Only 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but less than 10% do annually.
Blood Assurance is encouraging area residents to roll up their sleeves in January to ensure that local patients get the life-saving blood transfusions they need. As the only blood provider to more than 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities, Blood Assurance needs an average of 400 blood donations every day to meet the local demands.
Weather and seasonal illnesses can contribute to a decrease in blood donations during the winter months, according to Blood Assurance. While schools and businesses may close for inclement weather, Blood Assurance’s goal of collecting 400 daily donations never changes.
“We’re similar to any other healthcare organization when it comes to inclement weather, “ said Linda Hisey, vice-president of marketing and public relations. “Even if the weather is severe enough to close our donation centers, our laboratory and shipping departments never close,” she said.
Hisey hopes that residents who start the year off by donating blood will continue to do so throughout the year in order to avoid shortages in the community’s blood supply. According to America’s Blood Centers, if all blood donors gave three times a year, blood shortages would be a rare event (The current average is about two.)
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Special Events: New Blood in North Georgia Kick-off
August 2nd, 2011 9:40 AM
Ahhh, August. It's that time of year when the temperatures go up and the blood donations 
typically
go down. We're no stranger to the impact the dog days of summer can
have on the community's blood supply, but we're still responsible for
providing an adequate supply of blood components to every area patient
in need.
That's why every year in August, we take our search for new blood donors to north Georgia. For the sixth year, the residents of Catoosa and Walker Counties help us stock the shelves with blood donations by recruiting new blood donors and encouraging repeat donations by those who haven't visited us in awhile.
The initiative was started in 2006 by the North Georgia Advisory Board of Blood Assurance. This committee, comprised of local residents and business people, work throughout the year with the staff at Blood Assurance to encourage and promote the act of donating blood in north Georgia.
Our goal is to have 100 additional donors give the gift of life at our Ft. Oglethorpe office during the month of August. With each donation saving up to three lives, that's 300 patients that could potentially benefit from New Blood in North Georgia.
We'll
be kicking off the event tonight as we host the Catoosa County's
Business After Hours. Stop by our Ft. Oglethorpe office (2720 LaFayette
Rd. next to Sear's Shoe Store) from 4 to 6 p.m. for some refreshments
and learn more about this life-saving initiative.
That's not all! During the month of August, visitors at our Ft. Oglethorpe location will also be eligible to register for exclusive prizes, in addition to Blood Assurance's monthly drawing.
Grand Prize:
Trip for two on a tethered hot air balloon during the Balloons & Tunes Festival in Rock Spring, GA (weekend of Sept. 23 &
24) plus one parking pass and two gate passes for the entirety of the
event. *Balloon rides are weather dependent. Number of riders is
dependent on height and weight of riders.
Second Prize:
$100 Gas Card
Third Prize
Blood Assurance goodie basket
Questions? Email us or call (706) 861-5983.
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Special Events: Student iTunes Promotion
July 22nd, 2011 9:51 AM
Today we're launching a special promotion just for our high school and college blood donors!
Now through Aug. 15
Students are encouraged to take a photo of themselves donating blood at any Blood Assurance facility or bloodmobile and post it on our Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/bloodassurance)
Students MUST post the name of their high school or college, along with their email address when posting their photo on Facebook.
We will send the first 100 student donors a $10 iTunes gift card via email, so be sure to include your email address!
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Special Events: Dine In, Help Out at Qdoba on July 5
June 29th, 2011 8:47 AM
How many times have you helped someone else, simply by eating a meal? On Tuesday, July 5, you can help area high school students in their pursuit of higher education by dining at Qdoba Mexican Grill in Chattanooga. A portion of the sales will benefit the Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship program.
All you have to do is show your donor ID card, Blood Assurance employee badge, or simply mention that you're dining with them to support the Blood Assurance Foundation.
Two Participating Qdoba Locations
5900 Brainerd Rd.
Chattanooga, TN 37411
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
414 Market St.
Chattanooga, TN 37402
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To date, more than 130 students have received the Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship. For more information about this event, please contact Bonnie Phillips at (423) 752-8465.
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Special Events: Wine tasting fundraiser to benefit the Blood Assurance Foundation
June 17th, 2011 8:39 AM
The DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Chattanooga will host a wine tasting fundraiser on Thursday, June 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m to benefit the Blood Assurance Foundation.
Tickets are $15, which includes six 2 ounce samplings of wine and an array of food pairings. Musical entertainment is also included. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Blood Assurance Foundation. Each year, the foundation presents a total of twelve $1500 scholarships to area high school seniors through the Crystal Green Memorial Scholarship program.
Crystal, a graduate of Dade County High School, required countless blood transfusions and a bone 
marrow transplant during her battle with aplastic anemia. She passed away in 1998 and in her memory, the Blood Assurance Foundation was established to facilitate the scholarship program. Students who attend schools that host blood drives with Blood Assurance are eligible to apply for the scholarship, regardless of the student’s individual donation history.
Crystal’s legacy has helped more than 130 area students in the pursuit of higher education, and helped countless of patients in the area who are in need of blood transfusions.
To learn more about the Blood Assurance Foundation, please visit www.bloodassurance.org/contribute.
For more information about the fundraiser, please contact Bonnie Phillips at (423) 752-8465.
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Special Events: Stomp Out Sickle Cell April 16
April 13th, 2011 1:52 PM
Blood Assurance and Children’s Hospital at Erlanger will host the 2nd annual “Stomp Out Sickle Cell” event on Saturday, April 16 from noon until 5 p.m. at the Brainerd Recreation Center.
The free event, which is being held to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, will feature a basketball tournament, step show, refreshments, and a blood and marrow registration drive.
Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder of the red blood cells and primarily affects the African-American community. One in every 400 African-American babies is born with the disease which causes abnormal shaped red blood cells that are difficult to oxygenate. Anemia (low blood), serious infections, painful crisis and stroke are just a few of the complications patients may endure. These symptoms can be prevented and treated if the disease is managed aggressively. Children who experience stroke are typically committed to monthly blood transfusions for life.
The Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger treats patients with sickle cell disease from birth to 25 years of age in a comprehensive environment.
“The emphasis on early detection, prevention and screening for potential complications of disease is discussed in multidisciplinary clinics. Additionally the patients learn to advocate for themselves in school and in the work environment, leading to lifelong healthy outcomes,” said Dr. Jennifer Keates, hematology and oncology specialist at Children’s Hospital.
Studies show that marrow transplants can cure patients of their disease. Only 30 percent of patients in need of a transplant will find one within their families. The remaining 70 percent turn to the Be The Match Registry, a national database of potential marrow donors. Six million people are in the program, but only 8% of those registered are African-American.
Joining the registry is quick and requires a cheek swab, short informational session and paperwork. Blood Assurance covers the costs associated with joining the marrow registry, making it free for those who are interested.
Since sickle cell patients often require blood transfusions, Blood Assurance will also be collecting blood donations at the event. All blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. All donors will receive a complimentary snack and t-shirt.
For more information, please visit www.stompoutsicklecell.org.
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Special Events: Cell Phones for Soldiers and Blood Assurance Kick Off Cell Phone Collection Drive in Tullahoma
January 31st, 2011 8:34 AM
More than 150,000 troops are serving overseas and are away from their families. Cell Phones for Soldiers and Blood Assurance are calling on all Americans to support for these brave men and women by donating your unused cell phones. Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to collect over 1 Million cell phones this year to help keep troops connected with their families.
“Over the past few years, we have been amazed by the generosity of others. But, we have also seen the need to support our troops continue.” says Brittany Bergquist, Cell Phones for Soldiers co-founder. “It is easy for Americans to make a small sacrifice of support by donating their unused cell phones, and providing families with a much-needed connection to their loved ones overseas.”
Local residents can support the collection drive by donating their phones at Blood Assurance, located at 1500 N. Jackson St. in Tullahoma. The office is open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We’re proud to show our support for U.S. soldiers, and to contribute to a worthy cause like Cell Phones for Soldiers,” says Rick Youngblood, President & CEO of Blood Assurance.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization has raised millions of dollars in donations and distributed millions of prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
“We are continuously overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of thousands of Americans who have helped our troops speak with their loved ones,” says the teens’ father, Bob Bergquist. “However, the need for support keeps growing as more troops are sent to the Middle East or are asked to serve extended tours of duty.”
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $10 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones and prepaid service to allow troops abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
The donated phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each phone – the money is used to purchase prepaid calling cards which are sent to troops.
Approximately half of the phones ReCellular processes are reconditioned and resold to wholesale companies in over 40 countries around the world. Phones and components that cannot be refurbished are dismantled and recycled to reclaim materials, including:
- Gold, silver and platinum from circuit boards
- Copper wiring from phone chargers
- Nickel, iron, cadmium and lead from battery packs
- Plastic from phone cases and accessories
About ReCellular Inc.:
With offices in the United States and Hong Kong, ReCellular Inc. is the world’s leading electronics sustainability firm. We provide solutions for the collection, reuse and recycling of used personal electronics that generate financial return for our partners, quality products for our customers, funding for charity organizations, and protection of the environment. Corporate and wholesale information is available at www.ReCellular.com. Charity fundraising and consumer information, including the Cell Phone Data Eraser® tool, is available at www.wirelessrecycling.com.
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Special Events: January is National Blood Donor Month
January 3rd, 2011 4:16 PM
Blood Assurance in need of O negative, B negative donations
As part of your new year's resolution,
Blood Assurance encourages area residents to consider giving the gift of
life in 2011. According to America's Blood Centers, if all blood donors
gave blood one additional time each year, blood shortages would be a
rare occurrence. The current average is two donations per year.Blood Assurance is currently experiencing a shortage of type O negative and B negative blood donations.
The holidays and winter weather are just two factors that can affect the blood supply. Illnesses such as the flu can temporarily prevent regular donors from giving blood, while the holidays can cause a decrease in the number of blood drives held at schools and local businesses, particularly during inclement weather.
What remains constant is the need for blood. Blood Assurance is the only source of blood donations for more than 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee.
For a list of area blood drives this month, please visit www.bloodassurance.org/blooddrives.
All donors will receive a complimentary snack and t-shirt. Visitors at any Blood Assurance location or blood drive in January can register to win a $500 grocery gift card to the store of their choice. Three winners will be selected at random.
For more information about donating blood, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.
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Special Events: Find Your Way to Blood Assurance
December 7th, 2010 9:49 AM
The holidays are here and Blood Assurance is giving away ten
GPS navigation systems to help visitors find their way to a life-saving
opportunity.
The monthly promotion is part of the regional blood center’s efforts to generate awareness of the need for blood donations at a time when donations are typically low.
Once blood components are separated, whole blood donations have the potential to save up to three lives.
A list of upcoming blood drives can be viewed at www.bloodassurance.org/blooddrives.
While registrants are not required to donate blood, those interested in donating blood must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. All donors will receive a complimentary long-sleeved t-shirt.
For more information about donating blood or for contest rules, visit www.bloodassurance.org.
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Special Events: Register to Win a Costco Essentials Package
November 1st, 2010 3:23 PM
Register to Win a Costco Essentials Package
With the holidays quickly approaching, Blood Assurance is giving area residents the chance stock up on the essentials by registering to win one of eight Costco prize packs.
Visitors at any Blood Assurance location or blood drive can register to win the prize packs, valued at $250 each. Registrants are limited to one entry per person, per day.
With Costco’s new location in Fort Oglethorpe, GA, winners living outside the immediate area have the option of having their orders shipped to them. For complete giveaway rules, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.
While registrants are not required to donate blood, those interested in donating blood must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information about donating blood, visit www.bloodassurance.org.
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