When it came to his 46th birthday, Jeff Shuey of Bellevue wanted to celebrate in a whole new way. The former Microsoft employee and current workflow blogger, wanted to give back.
Shuey partnered with the Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC) and Renewal Food Bank to gather support and donations from fellow friends and family members. The first annual Food & Blood Drive was a success, drawing 47 blood donors and collecting more than two large barrels worth of food donations.
Shuey’s team, consisting of 15 local donors, joined together on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the PSBC and won the Food & Blood Drive challenge. His son, Nick Shuey, showed up to support his father and bring donations of food to the drop off site at the PSBC. Shuey used the power of social media to reach out to his many contacts, including several friends who donated to blood centers in their own hometowns in the UK, Australia and Singapore.
“I have been donating blood for more than 30 years and plan to continue,” Shuey explained. “Giving blood is one of the easiest and most selfless things a person can do. I think some people just don’t understand how important it is to give blood. It saves lives.”
The PSBC reports a decline in blood donations during the holiday season, causing a shortage for those needing blood transfusions. The PSBC points to a rise in car accidents due to increased commuter traffic, travel and alcohol-related crashes and an increase in everyday illnesses like the flu, as the main culprits preventing people from donating blood.
In December, the Renewal Food Bank and PSBC partnered together to raise awareness and donations. Several local businesses formed teams to step up to the challenge, including Kate London’s team from Fresh Consulting, Jerry Olson’s team from Bellevue Windermere offices, and Jerry Schiffelbein’s team from Seattle Atheists.
To learn more about donating blood, watch Jeff Shuey’s blog video at http://jshueywa.blogspot.com/2009/03/give-pint-save-life.html.
The Puget Sound Blood Center, Bellevue Donor Center is located at 1021 112th Ave. NE. For more information on PSBC, visit www.psbc.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PugetSoundBloodCenter.
Renewal Food Bank is located at 2015 Richards Road in Bellevue and is a part of the Northwest Harvest Hunger Relief Network and a partner agency of Food Lifeline. For more information on the Renewal Food Bank, visit www.worldimpactnetwork.org or call 425-643-8246.
Food Bank Hours
Monday: 9 a.m.-noon and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m.-noon
One person from each household may visit one session per week.
