Palo Alto blood center seeking donors ahead of Super Bowl 50

PALO ALTO, Calif. -- With an estimated two to three million people expected to visit the Bay Area for Super Bowl 50, the Stanford Blood Center is seeking donors to help them stock up on blood.

Blood center officials want to make sure their inventory is full as their partner, Stanford Health Care, expects to see an increase in patients this week, before and during the game, which take place on Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, blood center officials said.

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The blood center is also connecting with local law enforcement and the SHC's Office of Emergency Management to establish a coordinated plan with the SHC's Transfusion Services Department to ensure the blood center is able to respond quickly when they're alerted about any urgent need for blood.

"It's the blood on the shelves at the time of need that helps patients," blood center spokesman Loren Magana said.

"Many people don't know it takes up to three days from donation for blood to be ready for transfusion. So we encourage the community to donate this week," Magana said.

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The blood center is asking that donors be in good health, with no cold or flu symptoms. Donors should eat well prior to donating, drink fluids and bring photo identification with them.

Donating blood takes about an hour, blood center officials said.

To make an appointment this week, potential donors can call (888) 723-7831.

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