Community Blood Centers Announces Band-aid Drive To Benefit University of Miami/Holtz Children's Hospital.

LAUDERHILL -- Community Blood Centers of South Florida (CBCSF) has joined up with the University of Miami/Holtz Children's Hospital at Jackson Memorial Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Clinic Children's Cancer Fund to collect much needed band-aids and stickers for its pediatric patients.

The blood center's first "Sticking Together" band-aid and sticker drive runs through March 31st. Blood donors and local residents are encouraged to drop off new, unopened boxes and packages of band-aids (strips and dots) and children's stickers at any of the 15 CBCSF branch locations in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Cartoon characters and other fun designs are at the top of the most wanted list.

"It's just a small round circle about the size of a dime, or a thin rectangular strip, but the difference between the standard tan band-aid and a cute Disney or Sponge Bob band-aid is priceless," says Letitia Cason, M.Ed., Certified Child Life Specialist, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. "Character band-aids can immediately direct the child's attention from the uncomfortable needle stick, to something recognizable as a source of interest and enjoyment. It seems like a small thing, but to a young child, a special band-aid can mean a lot!" The Hematology/Oncology Outpatient Clinic uses over 300 band-aids and gives out more than 300 stickers to patients each week, according to Cason.

The drive will also expose more people to Community Blood Centers and blood donation, and how blood is used in the treatment of cancer. Approximately 60% of the population can donate blood, but only about 5% actually do so. "The best way to ensure an adequate daily blood supply for local hospitals is for more people to donate, and for current donors to donate as often as they are eligible to do so," says Tracy Amara, director of branch operations for CBCSF. "If a fun band-aid or sticker can bring joy to a child battling cancer, just imagine what life-saving blood donations can do for patients and their families."

Community Blood Centers of South Florida, Inc., a non-profit organization, is the supplier of 75% of the blood used for medical care in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties. CBCSF has 40 blood mobiles serving Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys seven days a week, and 16 branches located from Key West to Lantana. To schedule a blood drive or learn more about blood donation, call 800-357-4483 or visit www.cbcsf.org.