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Donate blood, collaborate for a win in June

BY AMY TAPIA

THURSDAY, MAY 30, 2024

EVERY UNIT COUNTS — Sandia employee Andrew Harvey squeezes a cow toy to encourage blood flow during last year’s blood drive. Last year, Sandians donated 145 pints of blood during the drive. This year, Sandians can donate June 11 or 24 at Steve Schiff Auditorium. (Photo by Craig Fritz)
EVERY UNIT COUNTS — Sandia employee Andrew Harvey squeezes a cow toy to encourage blood flow during last year’s blood drive. Last year, Sandians donated 145 pints of blood during the drive. This year, Sandians can donate June 11 or 24 at Steve Schiff Auditorium. (Photo by Craig Fritz)

Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia will face off in June in the second annual friendly blood donation competition. Sandians can donate in the lobby of Steve Schiff Auditorium. This year’s competition is focused on encouraging new donors.

Last year, Sandia donated 145 units of blood, and Los Alamos donated 146 units, winning the competition by a single unit. This year, the champion lab must win at least two out of these three categories: the most units of blood, the most overall donors and the most new donors. Together, both labs hope to exceed last year’s total of 291 units, which could potentially impact the lives of 689 people — and result in a real win for New Mexicans in need of donated blood.

Donors who participate in the challenge will receive 1,000 Virgin Pulse Points, a Battle of the Labs T-shirt, a certificate for a free short stack of pancakes from IHOP, bonus points for a $10 gift card in their donor account and be registered to win one of five $5,000 prepaid gift cards.

A life-saving gift

I donated blood for the first time more than 35 years ago. It was during the holiday season, and it was a good way to help others when I didn’t have much time or money to share. The experience was easy, and I felt rewarded knowing that my simple gift could save someone’s life. When I joined Sandia, I continued to donate regularly at the bimonthly drives. Since then, Community Involvement began coordinating the blood drives. I’m proud to see our employees continue to exceed blood donation goals. If you’ve never donated blood, I hope you will consider donating in June.

—Amy Tapia, manager of Community Involvement