Northern California Community Blood Bank

04/01/2026

Thank you, McKinleyville High School, for hosting such a successful blood drive! We saw 57 donors, 20 of whom were first-time donors. We love all donors, but our first-time donors are incredibly important because they help expand the donor pool and may become regular, repeat donors.
One thing that isn’t often talked about is that high school blood drives typically see a higher number of deferrals. Many students may not meet requirements for weight, iron levels, or health history, and they’re often more nervous or unfamiliar with the process. That’s why it’s especially remarkable that we had only 2 deferrals yesterday at MCHS, which is an incredibly low number. While low deferral rates are rare for blood drives with a similar volume of donors, they are almost unheard of at high school drives.
This highlights the importance of preparing properly for your donation. To my delight I only spoke with one student who, when asked what they had for breakfast, answered “coffee.” Unfortunately, this is becoming more common. Many students skip breakfast or think coffee counts as one. It does not. Not only is eating a good breakfast important on the day of your donation, but maintaining a diet rich in iron in the days leading up to it can make a big difference.
A special shoutout to McKinleyville High’s principal, Dustin Dutra, who not only supported the event but also stepped up to donate. He wanted me to encourage other school principals to make the time to donate as well. Leading by example makes a powerful impact!
Lastly, if you see Ben Selman- my teacher, volunteer, and coordinator- be sure to thank him! He and his Leadership class helped make this blood drive a success! Our student volunteers were enthusiastic, helpful, and represented McKinleyville High exceptionally, I truly enjoy partnering with this group.
See you all again in the fall! Remember, you don’t have to wait for us to come to your school to donate. You can donate on the bloodmobile, we’re in McKinleyville at least once a week. Go to nccbb.org to view our mobile schedule and blood center hours.

03/30/2026

There will be two great blood drives this week in McKinleyville. Join us at Six Rivers Brewery this Wednesday and receive a voucher for a pint of beer with your donation or hop on the bloodmobile parked at Mckinleyville Shopping Plaza this Saturday. There will be candy filled eggs for the kids and a chance to win a basket filled with local goods and blood bank swag. McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce

03/26/2026

The Eureka Woman’s Club hosted a successful blood drive yesterday! This year also marks an incredible milestone of 125 years of the club’s service and impact in the community.
A special shoutout to Donna for donating her 11th unit of blood, an inspiring contribution!
Thank you to everyone involved for making such a meaningful difference. Your dedication and generosity continue to strengthen our community!

03/23/2026

Let’s keep the donations flowing to !

03/17/2026

Today we celebrated St. Patrick Day With a delicious potato bar for our staff, and some team members even got to show off their creative side by building festive floats!

Congratulations to Charly winning 1st place!

03/17/2026

We would like to recognize the incredible student volunteers at St. Bernard’s Academy for their outstanding efforts at yesterday’s student led blood drive. Thanks to their dedication we saw a record-breaking 27 donors participate! The highlight of this successful day was collecting 11 units of much-needed Type O blood, an essential resource for our community. We are truly grateful for the continued support and partnership with St. Bernard’s ASB and S Club. Their leadership and enthusiasm make a meaningful difference and we couldn't be more proud.

03/09/2026

0+ and B- donors needed!
This week's bloodmobile schedule:
Monday- Wildberries Marketplace 12-6pm
Tuesday- Changing Tides Family Services (Myrtle)11-5pm & McKinleyville Shopping Plaza 1-6pm
Wednesday- Cal Poly Humboldt (B Street) 11-4pm
Thursday- George Peterson Insurance 11-4pm
Friday- Crescent City Walmart 11-4pm & Pierson Building Center 11-4pm
Saturday- McKinleyville Shopping Plaza 11-4pm
Please visit our website at nccbb.org from blood center hours.

03/02/2026

The Northern California Blood Bank is among 12 blood providers nationwide responding to an emergency activation of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) following a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning, March 1, 2026.
The shooting occurred around 2 a.m. local time as bars were closing in a popular entertainment district. Two people were killed, and 14 others are being treated for injuries.
In response, BERC activated its emergency protocol, calling on member blood centers that are on rotation this week to ship additional units of red blood cells to support hospitals in the affected region. The supplemental blood supply will help meet immediate transfusion needs for the injured and replenish local inventories to ensure ongoing patient care is not disrupted.
BERC was established to help blood providers quickly meet transfusion demands during large-scale emergencies. Through a rotating on-call system, participating centers collect extra units in advance, creating a ready reserve that can be deployed without delay when crises occur.
Sunday’s activation underscores the network’s vital role in stabilizing blood supplies during mass casualty events and ensuring that both emergency and routine medical needs continue to be met. The Northern California Community Blood Bank is proud to be part of BERC and the far reach of its impact in times of crisis. We are especially grateful to our local donors who continue to roll up their sleeves to answer the call, wherever it is needed, helping make these lifesaving partnerships possible.

02/27/2026

In an interview with Redwood News, Gene Joyce showed that true courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s having the strength to show up anyway.
Celebrating his 60th birthday in an extraordinary way, Gene marked the milestone by donating his 60th gallon of blood, a journey that has included an incredible 480 needle sticks. For someone who openly admits he’s not a fan of needles, that accomplishment is even more meaningful.
“I hate needles, I have not seen a needle go into my arm yet,” Gene shared. “The line usually is, if you want to look away, now is the time.”
Despite his fear, Gene continues to roll up his sleeve, driven by a simple but powerful belief: donating blood saves lives. His dedication comes at a critical time, as blood banks face an ongoing need for new, first-time donors to keep up with hospital demand.
Gene hopes his story encourages others, especially those who may be hesitant to take that first step.
His message to the community is clear: when you donate blood, you are saving lives. Somewhere in a hospital, there is a patient whose life has been or will be saved because someone chose to give. That someone could be you.
As Gene marks 60 years of life and 60 gallons donated, he’s showing the community how simple acts of kindness, done consistently, can make an extraordinary impact. And he reminds us that you don’t have to like needles to save a life, you just roll up your sleeve and look away. That tiny prick is only a moment if it means everything to someone in need.

02/26/2026

Thank you Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department for the kind words and for hosting another amazing blood drive. We truly appreciate everything you do for our community. The dinners you prepare for donors always make the drive extra special, and we're so grateful for your continued support.

The Victorian Village proved once again that its heart is as big as its history. In a powerful display of community support, the Northern California Community Blood Bank hosted a successful blood drive at the Ferndale Fire Department today, yielding an impressive 38 pints of blood.

With each pint of blood potentially saving up to three lives, the day’s haul represents more than just a number, it represents hope for over 100 patients in our local hospitals.

While the cause itself is noble, Ferndale Fire Department added a legendary incentive to ensure the donor chairs stayed full. True to tradition, the Ferndale Fire members fired up the grills, serving their famous steak dinners to every donor and staff member on site.

The aroma of flame grilled steaks wafted through the station, turning a medical necessity into a community celebration. This unique partnership between the Northern California Community Blood Bank and local first responders continues to be one of the most anticipated and successful mobile drives in the region.

A drive of this magnitude doesn't happen without a dedicated team and a willing community. Organizers would like to extend a massive thank you to:

• The Ferndale Community: For rolling up your sleeves and showing up in force. Your 38 pint contribution is a vital boost to our local blood supply.
• The Northern California Community Blood Bank Team: For your professionalism, expertise, and for making the donation process smooth and welcoming for everyone involved.
• The Ferndale Fire Department: For providing the perfect venue and for your incredible generosity in cooking and hosting. Those steaks are more than just a meal they are a "thank you" that truly hits the spot.

Ferndale Fire Department Secretary/Treasurer Josh Smith added:
“Ferndale always shows up for its neighbors. Whether it's answering a fire call or filling a blood bag, this community knows the meaning of service."

Missed the drive? You can still make a difference. The Northern California Community Blood Bank is always in need of donors to maintain a stable supply for our region.

Northern California Community Blood Bank Contact Info
The main center is located in Eureka, which handles all scheduling for the mobile bloodmobiles that visit Ferndale.
• Address: 2524 Harrison Ave, Eureka, CA 95501
• Phone: (707) 443-8004
• Email: recruit@nccbb.org (for blood drive and sponsor info)
• Website: www.nccbb.org
Check the Bloodmobile Schedule: You can find the most up to date calendar for the bloodmobile on the NCCBB Appointments Page.