One critical area the pandemic has damaged is the country’s supply of donated blood. As gatherings have been limited in various capacities over the last two years, blood drives have been halted and The American Red Cross now has concerns that the blood supply could dwindle to the point that rationing will occur.
The San Jose Sharks partnered with Stanford Blood Center this past Saturday to host a blood drive at SAP Center, a partnership that has been going strong for over 15 years (for more information on how Bay Area locals can help the cause, along with tons of resources and to find a donation center, visit the Stanford Blood Center website).
To encourage Sharks fans to donate during this time of shortages, 70 tickets to Sharks games were raffled off, along with a Grand Prize that features an exclusive viewing experience from a luxury penthouse suite at SAP Center.
On a personal note, I started donating blood when I was 17, as soon as I was able, and I continued to donate every three months until I was diagnosed with conditions that have prevented me from donating any longer. A related cause, organ donation, is incredibly close to my heart, as I’ve seen firsthand how that gift can change a number of lives. It’s the most personal and meaningful way you can give back to your fellow humans.
The impact of a partnership like this is massive. Elisa Manzanares, donations organizer for the Stanford Blood Center, told KPIX, “We should see 250 to 235 donors today. The average blood drive is probably closer to 30, so this is a big one.”
“We tell people ‘if you’re healthy and well and able, come on in — we really, really need you.’ We’ve been in and out of critical a lot. I don’t know any other way to put that. Even last week I was putting on emergency, last minute blood drives just to try to bring more in.”
It’s really special to see a fanbase come together to do good in the community. The need right now is dire, so if you are able to get involved, I urge you to consider blood donation and supporting the Stanford Blood Center in their mission.
For those of you who are not local to the Bay Area, find out more about how you can help during the national blood shortage, as well as find donation sites near you, on The American Red Cross website.
News & Notes
- San Jose Sharks Team Up With Stanford Blood Center to Lure New Donors [CBS SF Bay Area]
- San Jose Sharks’ lopsided loss a ‘massive wake-up call,’ but can they respond? [The Mercury News]
- Sharks’ Karlsson out for game vs. Lightning, and possibly longer [The Mercury News]
- From the press box: San Jose Sharks [The Daily Californian]
- NHL midseason report: Grades, MVPs, players who need reset for all 32 teams [ESPN+]/
Blood in the Water
- New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban wants hockey world to ‘focus on how we can change’ after alleged racial taunt aimed at brother [ESPN]
- Russia, seeking second straight Olympic men’s hockey gold medal, loads up on former NHL players [ESPN]
- Keith Yandle: the NHL ironman closing in on 1,000 consecutive games [The Guardian]
- Who are Seattle’s NHL fans, and how do they compare to other fandoms? [The Seattle Times]
- Mankato native has sights set on reaching the NHL … in another way [NHL.com]
- Edwins founder Brandon Chrostowski’s side-gig passion? Officiating hockey games [Cleveland.com]
- ‘Hockey Party’: Hundreds Compete In Pond Hockey Tournament’s Opening Weekend Finale [CBS Minnesota]
- NCAA Votes to Allow Union Hockey to Offer Scholarships [Union Athletics]
- Big changes coming to professional women’s hockey [WBFO NPR]/
Scores & Recaps
- Winnipeg Jets 2, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 (SO)
- Ottawa Senators 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1
- Los Angeles Kings 3, New Jersey Devils 2
- Florida Panthers 3, Seattle Kraken 5
- St. Louis Blues 3, Vancouver Canucks 1/
Click on a team name to find a recap on their SB Nation site!
On the Schedule
- Anaheim Ducks at Boston Bruins, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on NESN, BSSC, BSSD, ESPN+
- Los Angeles Kings at New York Rangers, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on MSG+, BSW, ESPN+
- Dallas Stars at Philadelphia Flyers, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on NBCSP, BSSW, ESPN+
- Vegas Golden Knights at Washington Capitals, 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on NHLN, TVAS, NBCSWA, ATTSN-RM
- Montreal Canadiens at Minnesota Wild, 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on SN, BSN, BSWI, RDS, ESPN+
- Chicago Blackhawks at Colorado Avalanche, 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on ALT, NBCSCH+, ESPN+
- St. Louis Blues at Calgary Flames, 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on SN1, BSMW, ESPN+/
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