Longboaters appreciate convenience of blood donation

SunCoast Blood Centers volunteers continue outreach efforts throughout the year on Longboat Key.

By Dana Kampa
| 5:00 a.m. May 26, 2025

Phlebotomists Kierrah Stanford and Diana Lemus staff the SunCoast Blood Centers' "bloodmobile" stationed outside of Longboat Key Town Hall on May 21.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Longboat Key resident Pat O'Donnell was just wrapping up at tennis practice when she spied the eye-catching turquoise bus sitting in front of Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon. She decided to follow up her actions on the court with an impromptu act of kindness — donating blood.

"Every time I see the bus, I try to get over there," she said.

Phlebotomist Diana Lemus said even during the summer, SunCoast Blood Centers hosts its pop-up blood drive on the Key, welcoming those with an appointment or anyone inclined to walk in.

"We tend to get a lot of good donations out here because of the location," she said.

Phlebotomist Diana Martinez collects a donation from Pat O'Donnell, who said she stopped by after tennis practice.

Those who meet the criteria to donate can do so every 56 days, and she said staff try to coordinate the Longboat Key pop-ups with that timeline so everyone who is willing can donate.

Lemus said the centers most urgently need O-negative blood, most often in demand for its scarcity yet universal applicability. They are also particularly seeking O-positive and double-red-cell donations.

Carl Roy didn't have time to donate that afternoon, but he said he did appreciate that staff took the time to explain the process and some of the perks of donation.

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The center's new rewards program offers gift cards for donors. New donors may receive $30, and there is a sliding scale for those who donate whole blood, platelets, plasma and plasma with antigens to fight covid.

The pop-up donation bus only collects whole blood, but donors can schedule appointments with the centers' permanent facilities.

Roy said he plans to donate soon.

Anyone who donated over Memorial Day weekend contributed to a special gift. SunCoast Blood Centers honored veterans by converting the incentives to a financial contribution to the Blood Centers of America Foundation.

The centers said in the announcement, "This contribution will provide financial assistance to wounded, ill, or injured U.S. Special Operations Forces service members and their families."

Carl Roy said he appreciated learning more about blood donation from the "bloodmobile" staff on Longboat Key and hopes to book an appointment soon.

Longboat Key resident Dave Bishop, who also donated that day, is far from a first-timer.

"I donate regularly, but I appreciate the convenience," he said of the bloodmobile.

He shared the story of when he received a license plate commending him for reaching five gallons of donated blood at a school drive. With a laugh, he recalled how one student incredulously asked if it was all at the same time.

"I feel like it's a good way to help out, and it doesn't cause me great pain," he said. "Actually, after I've donated, I typically feel a bit better myself."

Longboat Key resident Dave Bishop said he donates blood regularly and appreciates the convenience of the pop-up drives outside Town Hall.

Lemus noted blood donations have a shelf life of about a month, so the centers are always seeking donors. A session typically takes between 15 and 30 minutes.

Anyone interested in booking an appointment can call 877-475-3257 or visit suncoastblood.org.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.