'One Buffalo Challenge for Life' kicks off Unyts initiative to encourage growth of donation drives
Pegula Sports and Entertainment has teamed with Unyts to call on the Western New York business community to take action in expanding the collection of lifesaving donations through the "One Buffalo Challenge for Life."
PSE and Unyts are inviting businesses across Western New York to schedule a blood and donor registry drive at a location of convenience between June 26 and Aug. 19 for a chance to win prizes from the Bills, Sabres and One Buffalo.
Unyts will operate the drive for each participating company and supply toolkits and materials to promote each event. The "One Buffalo Challenge for Life" is the first initiative of the Unyts "Workplace for Life" program, which will work year-round to encourage the growth of donation drives with the help of area businesses.
"The 'Workplace for Life' program allows local companies to easily increase community outreach by streamlining the process of hosting a lifesaving donation drive," said Erica Muhleman, PSE's EVP of business development. "Our fellow Western New York businesses can make a tremendous impact on the area's overall well-being by helping Unyts continue to expand its lifesaving measures. The 'One Buffalo Challenge for Life' provides an ideal kickoff for this program, with coveted prizes that reward participating companies and the donors and organizers who will make it a success."
In this summer's "One Buffalo Challenge for Life," the company that hosts the largest blood drive will receive a one-of-a-kind Buffalo Bills experience that includes a 50-person visit to New Era Field for lunch and an all-access tour, along with 100 tickets to a Bills preseason game. The company that arranges the largest organ donor registry drive will receive a VIP experience at KeyBank Center with a 50-person private skate, catered lunch and 100 tickets to a Sabres preseason game. Additionally, two participating companies will be selected for the "most engaged company" award, which offers the choice of a suite for a Bills or Sabres preseason game. All donors will receive a custom lanyard donated by ADPRO Sports, and all companies will receive Bills or Sabres preseason tickets for use in raffles at their drives.
"Summer is traditionally a time when there is an increased need for blood and a decrease in donors. The 'Workplace for Life' program is a wonderful way for local companies to get involved in the Unyts mission and make a positive impact on another life," said Mark Simon, Unyts president and CEO. "We are pleased to be partnering with Pegula Sports and Entertainment on this initiative, and we are confident that our kick-off, the 'One Buffalo Challenge,' will have a significant impact across WNY."
To sign up for the "One Buffalo Challenge for Life," companies are asked to contact Amanda Farrell at
716-566-3925 or
[email protected]. In order to participate in this program, companies must be enrolled in the Unyts "Workplace for Life" program by June 1.
About Unyts
Headquartered in downtown Buffalo and established in 1981, Unyts is among the leading procurement organizations in the U.S., and is one of the only eight centers nationwide to house organ, eye and tissue procurement in one location. With the addition of Community Blood Services in 2007, Unyts has become the first organization of its kind nationwide.
Unyts operates as a nonprofit, serving the eight counties of Western New York, and works to assist donor families, coordinate the donation process and increase knowledge and awareness within the community regarding transplantation.
About Pegula Sports and Entertainment
Pegula Sports and Entertainment (PSE) is a management company that streamlines key business areas across all Pegula family-owned sports and entertainment properties, including the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Rochester Americans, HarborCenter and Black River Entertainment. PSE aims to be a leader in the sports and entertainment industry by bringing together the individual resources, capabilities and talents of each of its entities to create a cohesive and sustainable brand that together represents the Pegula family's interest. PSE's mission is exemplified by its One Buffalo initiative, which unites Western New York and serves as a representation of teamwork through a deeper connection between Buffalo sports teams, fans and the community.
