Chamber Sponsors UNYTS First Donate Life Challenge

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor Upstate New York Transplant Services' (UNYTS') First Annual Donate Life Challenge this summer. The challenge, which runs from June through August, will feature 50 participating organizations and businesses from across Western New York.  The aim of the challenge is to increase awareness of the need for organ, eye, tissue and blood donation in the region. 

The summer is typically a slow time for blood donation, with a low amount of drives being held due to students being out of school, yet the need for a blood supply at area hospitals remains the same.  The "Donate Life Challenge" aims to increase blood donation as well as registration for organ, tissue and eye donors during this slow time, through an exciting competition between local companies. To kick-off the Donate Life Challenge, the Amherst Chamber hosted a UNYTS Blood Drive on Tuesday June 7^th in our 350 Essjay parking lot with the new Donate Life Express Bus.

UNYTS is a unique procurement organization located in Downtown Buffalo. Their Community Blood Drive and the ability to collect blood donations from donors across Western New York and keep that blood in the area for local hospitals, is a service not matched by any other organization across the country. By collecting and distributing blood locally, UNYTS has helped decrease the cost of blood to our local hospitals by as much as 30%.

With this summer's Donate Life Challenge, UNYTS' is looking for participation from over 50 organizations from across WNY. For more information on the Donate Life Challenge or to learn how you can help by hosting a blood drive at your office, contact Amanda Farrell of UNYTS at 566-3925.