NIH Blood Bank Holds 'School's Out' Blood Drive For Educators, Coaches

BETHESDA, MD — The NIH Blood Bank will be holding a School's Out blood drive in July for teachers, educators and coaches who may have time to donate blood now that school is out for the summer.

As part of its effort to encourage educators to donate blood, the NIH Blood Bank has adopted the theme of “not only do they shape lives, they save them too” through their blood donations.

“We know that teachers/counselors/coaches have not had time to come in and donate during the school year, and with the pandemic it’s even harder to get a substitute,” the NIH Blood Bank said. “We decided to hold a blood drive in July, so they would be able to come in and not be rushed to get back to school.”

All the blood and platelets donated at the NIH Blood Bank go directly to the children and adult patients at the Clinical Center in Building 10. "Our numbers are critically low and any donation of either blood/platelets would be appreciated," the NIH Blood Bank said.

For new donors, the NIH Blood Bank provides a welcome kit, which has an insulated fun lunch bag, an NIH pen and other goodies.

Donors can donate both blood or platelets. To make an appointment, potential donors can call:

• Whole blood donations: (on main campus of NIH) 301-496-1048
• Platelet Donations: (Rockville, MD/Fisher’s Lane) 301-496-4321
• Research Donations: (on main campus of NIH) 301-496-0092

The NIH Blood Bank also has an online link where potential donors can fill out a request for a recruitment specialist to call them back and set up the appointment.

The NIH Blood Banks sends out an email confirmation to donors the day before their scheduled donation. The email confirmation will allow them to enter the NIH campus through the West Cedar Lane entrance.

The security guards at that entrance are trained to assist blood donors to pass through smoothly and direct them to the parking garage (MLP-9).

Visit the NIH Blood Bank website for more information about donating blood.