If supporters of LifeStream Blood Bank’s new Operation SOS (Shave or Save) initiative have their way, there will be several hundred more clean-shaven faces in our community on March 1.
From Jan. 14 through Feb. 28, LifeStream is asking people to recruit “nominees” who are willing to shave their facial hair (or possibly their head) if an agreed-upon individual fundraising goal is met by the end of the campaign. Over the six-week period, nominators will encourage their social network of friends, family, and co-workers to make an online donation in support of their nominee’s “shave” goal. Reluctant nominees will have the option of saving their hair by matching the amount of donations logged on their webpage by Feb. 28. Individuals may also nominate themselves and challenge their friends to meet their fundraising goal.
LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director Dr. Rick Axelrod, has volunteered to shave the mustache he has had since he was 18 years old. “I have friends, family, and colleagues lining up to contribute to my shave goal! I’ve pledged not to exercise the “save” option if my goal is met. This will be the first time I have been clean-shaven in more than 40 years,” said Axelrod.
In recognition of National Blood Donor Month (January), supporters will have the option of donating blood or money. Each blood donation made at a LifeStream blood donor center or mobile blood drive in support of Operation SOS will have a $25 in-kind value and may be directed to the nominee of the blood donor’s choice. “We included the blood donation option to give everyone the opportunity to support this initiative,” stated Axelrod. LifeStream hopes to raise at least $50,000 to help pay for a new bloodmobile and collect 500 units of blood through operation SOS. “These funds will help us replace one older bloodmobile with a new eco-friendly bloodmobile this year. Plus, each unit of blood we collect has the potential to save up to three local patients’ lives,” Axelrod said.
LifeStream will award prizes in various categories, including best mustache, saddest mustache, best beard, and craziest facial hair. Additionally, if a nominator (and nominee) raises at least $500, they will be eligible to win two domestic round-trip tickets ($800 value) on Southwest Airlines.
Information about the initiative, including the registration process, can be found at www.lstream.org/sos. Businesses interested in supporting or sponsoring LifeStream’s Operation SOS may contact Dan Ballister, director of community development, at (909) 677-0136.
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