News & Events | Swimmers Are Out for Blood

Sixth Annual Donor Party swims Lake Washington and challenges community to make blood donations

AUGUST 11, 2003, SEATTLE — Summertime brings out many time-honored traditions: warm weather, outdoor barbeques, baseball – and the annual Donor Party swim across Lake Washington to benefit Puget Sound Blood Center. For the sixth year, swimmers from all over take to the water to challenge the community to donate 600 units of blood – the number of units needed to beat the group’s combined blood donations. Last year, the Donor Party successfully encouraged the community to donate 250 units of blood.

Founded by a longtime Puget Sound Blood Center blood donor, Scott Leopold, the Donor Party swims 2 1/4 miles across Lake Washington each summer, challenging the community to make blood donations. The entire event commences at the Medina Public Beach, located at 501 Evergreen Point Rd. in Medina, on August 13, 2003 at 11 a.m. The event is expected to finish at Madison Beach at approximately 2 p.m. Members of the community who are interested in participating should call (425) 657-0727.

The inspiration for the Donor Party came to Mr. Leopold in 1998 after he realized that donations tapered off during the summer months. A regular donor who has given 320 units, Mr. Leopold swam alone the very first year. According to him, however, the number of swimmers has doubled each year since then. An enthusiastic advocate of blood donations, Leopold expects to attract approximately 25 to 30 people this year.

“This is our way of giving back to the community, while also having a great time,” said Mr. Leopold, who works at Microsoft. “Often, people take for granted that blood is available every day if we need it, but where does all of this lifesaving gift come from? There’s no mystery – it comes from ordinary people like you and me. Let’s not wait for a tragedy to come out and give blood. I’d like to ask the community to join me in supporting local area hospitals by calling the Blood Center to pledge a pint to meet the Donor Party Challenge.”

Puget Sound Blood Center recommends that the community call 1-800-398-7888 to schedule an appointment to donate blood or log on to www.psbc.org to schedule an appointment online.

About The Puget Sound Blood Center
Internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine, the nonprofit Puget Sound Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The Blood Center, which serves patients in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties with blood services, provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.