Meals and Bloodmobiles

Traci Palmer always knew giving blood was important; her father has been a lifelong donor, topping out at 14 gallons. But it wasn’t until her sister Tiffany Armstrong, director of donor services at the Northern California Community Blood Bank (NCCBB), gave her a tour of the Eureka facility that the reality of blood shortages hit her. Through a window in the door to the storage unit, she saw shelves marked for different types, some nearly empty.

Once or twice a month, Palmer pitches in to help fill the need — with pizza. When the NCCBB Bloodmobile parks in the lot that her Arcata restaurant, Westside Pizza (600 F. St.), shares with Safeway Supermarket, donors can get a free lunch special: two slices and a soda.

Westside Pizza isn’t the only food business out for blood either. NCCBB’s mobile blood donation van had a July 9 stop scheduled at Six Rivers Brewery’s Pint for Pint drive, where donors received beer vouchers, and on July 15, it’ll be at Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate, where a pint is good for a chocolate bar. And on July 19, when Alchemy Distillery hosts a pop-up dinner with chef Amy Cloninger, filling a bag in the Bloodmobile earns you a complimentary mocktail.

There’s always food handy at donation centers and mobile units to give donors needed energy. NCCBB Donor Recruiter Sierra Carter says, “We definitely want you to stay hydrated and have a sugary snack after donation” to replenish your supply of carbohydrates. But for one of the few blood banks that doesn’t give incentives like money or gift cards, offering food is also good for getting folks to show up and roll up their sleeves.

Director of Donor Resources Kyle Windham says of the events, “I find when we have some sort of food available, they’re much more successful,” citing a well-attended drive where California Cancer Crushers and Eel River Recology set up their own tri-tip and sausage grill.

Carter says one of the bigger annual events is the hotly contested Battle of the Badges donation challenge during which donors can give in the name of any organization with a badge, from California Highway Patrol to California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It’s also marked by a big barbecue featuring tri-tip beef and sides. For the past few years, she says, it’s yielded around 230 units of blood. The Battle of the Hospitals draws a crowd with the burgers and barbecue on its grills, too.

“Ferndale steak night is crazy,” says Windham, noting the twice-yearly event, which the Ferndale Fire Department offers donors free flame-grilled steak dinners, averages between 30 to 45 units. “It’s great for a night, it’s big enough that we bring two mobiles.”

While NCCBB doesn’t buy anyone’s blood, big milestones have their rewards. When a donor hits 14 gallons (1 gallon takes eight donations), they get a gift certificate to a local restaurant like the Sea Grill, Larrupin or Double D Steak.

Wednesday nights at the blood bank are Family Night, with a free meal available in the canteen from 4 to 7 p.m. “We’re gonna buy a nice hotdog machine,” says Carter, who adds there are usually bagels from Frankie’s Bagels to enjoy there or take home. “Oh my gosh, he brings bags and bags of bagels — it’s incredible.”

Windham says, “I remember coming [to the blood bank] as a kid with my mom and eating food here while she was donating.” For a busy parent, the convenience can be the difference between being able to come in and donate or not.

Recent changes in policy have also removed some barriers to donation. Carter explains that a previous rules based on sexual orientation that kept gay and bisexual men from donating changed in October of 2023 to focus instead on sexual history. “As long as you’ve had the same partner, you’re eligible,” she notes. Tattoos and piercings don’t disqualify you, so long as the work was done at a licensed facility, and the mad cow ban that blocked those who’d traveled to the U.K. has been lifted.

Palmer says her 77-year-old father, a lifelong donor who topped out at 14 gallons, sometimes expresses frustration at no longer being able to donate due to his medication. Even for her, things sometimes get in the way of donating, like getting sick or having low iron. But gifting donors with free pizza at her restaurant is a satisfying workaround for her and them.

“Oh god, people love it,” Palmer says with a laugh. “It’s adorable. People come in and [ask], ‘Do I really get a free lunch just for giving blood?'”

Palmer is happy to tell them yes. “Everybody needs a little reward.”

Visit nccbb.net for more information on donating and a calendar of upcoming events. Jennifer Fumiko Cahill (she/her) is the managing editor at the Journal. Reach her at (707) 442-1400 ext. 106 or jennifer@northcoastjournal.com. Follow her on Bluesky @JFumikoCahill.

This article appears in The Disappearing Registrants.