Casa Italiana hosting blood and stem cell donor drive

Local residents will have an opportunity to help save lives by donating blood or registering as blood stem cell donors during a special donor drive this Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 at Casa Italiana Cultural Center in Burien.

This blood drive event is in honor of Joe Megale.

“Some of you may know Casa’s own Joe Megale is well into the process of battling leukemia, a process that has a direct & serious involvement with blood supply,” organizers said. “Please join us in giving blood to support the needs in our community.”

The event, hosted in partnership with Bloodworks Northwest and NMDP (formerly Be the Match), will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 13028 1st Ave S. (map below).

Blood donations will take place inside the Bloodworks Northwest mobile unit parked onsite, with a break for lunch from 12 to 12:45 p.m.

Appointments are required and can be made online or by scanning the QR code provided on event materials.

“Your cells. Their cure. Join the movement,” reads a message from NMDP, encouraging donors to consider joining the stem cell registry to help patients in need of life-saving transplants.

The drive is part of a broader effort to increase access to life-saving blood and stem cell donations for local patients.

Bloodworks Northwest notes that it takes less than an hour to donate blood, and the need for local donors remains critical year-round.

All blood donors must be at least 16 years old with photo ID.

Organizers request that donors eat a hearty meal and stay well hydrated prior to their appointment.

Children under 16 are not permitted at the donation site for safety reasons.

More information and appointment scheduling is available at bloodworksnw.org/giveblood or by calling 800-398-7888.

For more details, click here.