Donate Blood, Get Soup, Ice Cream and Lemonade

By Angela Swartz

The Stanford Blood Center will be hosting the 3rd Annual Coastside Blood Drive on Sunday, May 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bike Works in Half Moon Bay at 520 Kelly St. You can sign up for appointments to donate blood here.  

Those who donate blood will receive chowder from Sam’s Chowder House, a cup of soup from Cafe Capistrano, a small frozen Yogurt from Nano's Yogurt Shack and a “Pint for a Pint” from Baskin Robbins.

This year, organizers will also be showcasing a Marrow Drive at the event for those ages 18 to 44. There’s no appointment necessary for the cheek swab.

The blood that has already been donated through the Half Moon Bay drives could potentially help up to 846 patients.  

“We want to continue giving back,” said Colleen Granahan, who is organizing the event. “It feels good to donate. Only five percent donate out of 37 percent who are eligible to donate, so it’s very important to come out and donate blood if you’re eligible.”  

Granahan’s daughter Kaila Clark is hosting a lemonade stand at the event through the Alex’s Lemonade Stand group for childhood leukemia research.  

Half Moon Bay High’s prom committee is also selling hot dogs at the event to raise money for prom.