'Lighthouse For The Blind' Holding 6th Annual Blood Drive

'Lighthouse For The Blind' Holding 6th Annual Blood DriveA scene from last year's blood drive. | Photos: San Francisco Lighthouse For the Blind and Visually Impaired/Facebook
David-Elijah Nahmod
Published on January 31, 2018

On Friday, February 2nd, the Lighthouse For the Blind and Visually Impaired will hold its sixth annual blood drive at its Market Street headquarters from 11am to 5pm.

The drive is being held in conjunction with the American Red Cross, and all "blood donated on February 2nd benefits anyone in need, regardless of sight," said Lisamaria Martinez, director of community services at the Lighthouse.

Lighthouse employee Julie Sadlier at last year's blood drive. | Photo: Lighthouse for the Blind/Facebook

"In areas around the world, blind people would not be welcomed if they wanted to donate blood," said Martinez. "We know that blind people are a cross-section of society and that blood coming from a blind person is no different than that of blood coming from a sighted person."

Donations are by appointment only. Those who wish to donate should call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter code DAYOFGIVING. Donors must bring identification and answer a few health-related questions, but volunteers will be available to help complete paperwork.

"The idea of a community of blind people rolling up their sleeves and giving back to a society that often thinks of them people as charity cases, well, it’s just great to give back in such a life-affirming way," said Martinez. "To show the world that blind people aren’t just charity cases."