The Community Blood Center of the Carolina (CBCC) and local blood donors have brought comfort and joy to children spending the holidays in our local hospitals for the last 11 years. This year will be no exception as CBCC ramps up its annual Puppies for Patients program, which connects local blood donors with local pediatric patients during the holidays.

Community Blood Center of the Carolinas donors who give blood during November and December sign a gift tag to be attached to a stuffed puppy and delivered by CBCC to children in area hospitals and care facilities. Since 2005, CBCC has delivered thousands of these puppies to children in local hospitals in the hopes of brightening their holidays.

“Our staff, donors, supporters and community partners look forward to Puppies for Patients each year,” said Martin Grable, president and CEO of CBCC. “We encourage everyone to get involved; giving the gift of life through blood donation and bringing smiles to children in our local hospitals. A priceless gift anytime, but never more so than during the holidays.”

In its 12th year, CBCC hopes Puppies for Patients will bring even more blood donors to its mobile drives and donation centers. That would mean more life-saving blood products for local patients and more hand-written notes of well wishes and holiday cheer for hospitalized children.

“Our donors are the local blood supply, and of course we could not do meet local patient needs without them,” Grable said. “By having donors sign the tags attached to the puppies, we are creating a connection between donors and patients, a remarkably rewarding experience for everyone involved. I believe it’s the best gift anyone can give this holiday season.”

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC relies on local organizations to host blood drives and volunteer blood donors to help fulfill the need for blood for local patients. And the need is great. One local children’s hospital alone requires nearly 300 units of red blood cells and more than 200 units of platelets each month.

Anyone in generally good health who is at least 16 years old and weighs at least 120 pounds is eligible to donate blood. Businesses, churches, organizations and schools interested in hosting a blood drive can call Kim Jones 704-972-4727. Individuals interested in donating blood can do so at a CBCC mobile drive or at one of CBCC’s five donor centers in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Greensboro or Hickory.

To make an appointment at any center or mobile drive, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is your local nonprofit, community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC collects blood and blood products from local volunteer donors to help save local lives right here in the Carolinas, meaning every drop stays here, saving local lives. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers that provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information about hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 704-972-4700.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.