Home Run for Health: 28th Annual Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drives
Step up to the Plates for Patients — donate at PNC Park and save lives!
PITTSBURGH, PA (April 22, 2024) — Nonprofit Vitalant and the Pittsburgh Pirates invite you to step up to the plate at their 28th annual blood drives from May 28-30. Held at PNC Park, this event combines the excitement of baseball with the community spirit of blood donation, aiming to meet critical transfusion needs as summer approaches.
Over the past 28 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drives collected over 15,500 donations, with one donation potentially saving up to three lives. This year let’s continue a proud tradition of community support and lifesaving contributions! As a thank-you gift for donating, all those who give blood at the Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drives will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a Pirate’s home game (from Tuesday through Thursday) during the 2024 season.
On a seemingly ordinary February day, Beth Fochtman’s, a teacher at Baldwin-Whitehall Schools in Pittsburgh, life took a harrowing turn. Just weeks away from giving birth, Beth was rushed to the hospital after suddenly falling unconscious. Tragically, after they arrived, doctors told Beth that her son, Logan, had passed away. Then, three weeks later, Beth had to have 60% of her liver removed due to a decade old tumor.
Beth reflects on this tragedy and remarks that blood donations “gave me precious time with my son. They gave me a new life. I cannot thank the people who donated blood that helped save me, but I can help others.”
Today, Beth organizes blood drives and tells her students, “I am living proof of how blood donation saves lives, I survived and now Logan has three beautiful sisters to protect and watch over.” Beth shares her story in hopes that the ripple effect continues, and “that others will become a hero and donate blood.”
By participating in Vitalant's Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drive, you can be one of those vital helpers that saves the lives of moms like Beth, providing hope and help when it's most needed. Join us and be a part of a story that continues to inspire and heal. Let’s hit it out of the park this year and show just how much Pittsburgh cares!
As a thank-you gift for donating, all those who give blood at the Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drives will receive a voucher redeemable for two tickets to a Pirate’s home game (from Tuesday through Thursday) during the 2024 season.
Upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates Blood Drive:
Date: Tuesday, May 28, Wednesday, May 29, and Thursday, May 30
Location: PNC Park, Press Conference Room
Address: 684 W General Robinson St.
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (All Three Days)
The Press Conference Room entrance is on W General Robinson Street between Mazeroski Way and Federal Street, Free parking in Red Lot 5A for donors.
Appointments are recommended. Schedule your appointment today by visiting vitalant.org/pirates or call 877-25-VITAL (84825).
Event Sponsors:
Special thanks to our sponsors, the Pittsburgh Pirates for supporting this event.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent)) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.