Chargers Blood Drive:
Susie Spanos, wife of Chargers President Dean Spanos, was walking through the donor room San Diego’s Town and Country Convention Center, site of the Chargers Blood Drive, when she came across a gentleman who has participated in the event for several years. The 30th annual Blood Drive was a special one for him, and his story stuck with Spanos.
“Here’s a dad I’ve known for years and he brought his daughter to donate,” Spanos said. “I’ve now seen generations come through. This event grows every year, which is fantastic because we’re able to help so many people.”
During the season, Tuesdays are generally the only day off each week for the players. And as they do regularly on Tuesdays, a host of Charger players gave up their personal time to help others. More than 50 current players spent part of their Tuesday where fans piled in to donate blood and mingle with their favorite Chargers.
Several former Chargers players including Darren Bennett, Russ Washington, Gary Plummer and Ron Mix were on hand to celebrate the big day.
“I’m so impressed that the players give so much of themselves on their only day off,” Spanos said. “It also says a lot about the former players who still want to be involved. It’s just fantastic.”
The Chargers Blood Drive began in 1979 when former Bolts kicker Rolf Benirschke was suffering from a life-threatening medical disorder and needed more than 80 pints of blood during his operation. Teammates and Chargers staffers rallied for an impromptu blood drive to replace the blood Benirschke used. The response was so overwhelming that the Chargers decided to make it an annual event.
“It’s become sort of an institution now,” Benirschke said. “I look around and see t-shirts from 20 years ago. People just keep coming back to donate and help others. It’s so humbling.”
The Chargers Blood Drive is always held on the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving. The timing of the blood drive is important because supplies are always low at the San Diego Blood Bank during the holiday season. The Chargers Blood Drive helps the San Diego Blood Bank replenish their supply prior to the busy season.
“It’s always a time across the country where there is a shortage of blood,” said San Diego Blood Bank CEO Ramona Walker. “This drive really sets us apart. Look at all these folks that are here today. It’s incredible. They’re helping us build the supply as we get into the holidays.”
In addition to the blood donated Tuesday, several hundred people joined the National Marrow Donor Program registry, which helps match donors to patients suffering from life-threatening blood diseases such as leukemia or aplastic anemia.
Tuesday also marked the launch of Benirschke’s “Kick High Blood Pressure” campaign. Those in attendance had the opportunity to go through a health screening process that tested for issues such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
“We helped about 100 people today that didn’t even know they needed help,” Spanos said. “I would love to see the Blood Drive continue to expand to help more people in even more ways.”
Another special portion of the day came when Spanos presented Lynn Stedd of the San Diego Blood Bank with a framed Chargers’ jersey in recognition of Stedd’s 30 years of service to the Chargers Blood Drive.
“She’s the ringleader,” Spanos said. “We’re so grateful for all the work Lynn has done over the years and we’re happy to make her part of the Chargers team today.”
Throughout the day, bands and entertainers performed on a center stage, and several radio stations set up live remotes from the Blood Drive. The day concluded with a fashion show featuring several members of the Chargers family. Amanda Dobbins, wife of Bolts linebacker Tim Dobbins, and Kelli Hart, safety Clinton Hart’s wife, organized the fashion show and were co-chairs of the day’s final event.
Over the past 29 years, the Chargers Blood Drive has collected nearly 46,000 pints of blood. That figure includes one remarkable day in 1993 when the Blood Bank gained entry into the famed Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest single-day, single-location blood drive, with 1,853 pints collected. The Chargers Blood Drive has since eclipsed the 2,000-pint mark on several occasions. As of 5:00 Tuesday, roughly 1,350 pints had been collected, and Stedd was hopeful the number would reach 2,000 once again.
“It’s been fantastic to see the energy and enthusiasm here,” Spanos said. “The city has turned out in droves today to see the players. It’s so heartwarming to hear all the stories of the donors and listen to why they’re giving.”
Major Sponsors of the Chargers Blood Drive include San Diego County Credit Union; Grossmont Healthcare District; Congressman and Mrs. Darrell Issa and the Issa Family Foundation; Mercer Health & Benefits; Honda Dealers of San Diego County; Plan B Party Styling; and PennySaver.