SCRIPPS CLINIC BREAKS GROUND ON $175 MILLION FACILITY Scripps Health marked the start of construction March 5 on the Scripps Clinic John R. Anderson V Medical Pavilion. The new $175 million medical office building – along with the adjacent Prebys Cardiovascular Institute – is part of a comprehensive master plan that Scripps officials said is intended to transform the Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla campus and redefine healthcare in San Diego for the 21st century.
Once completed, the six-story medical-office building and ambulatory-care facility will house a variety of specialty services, including cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, neurology, nephrology and endocrinology. The building will also include four cardiac catheterization labs that will allow physicians to perform certain cardiac procedures in an outpatient setting.
Eileen and John “Jack” R. Anderson IV, longtime supporters of Scripps Health, previously donated $25 million toward construction of a new Scripps Clinic facility on the campus of Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. In honor of the couple’s generosity, the 175,000-square-foot facility will be named the John R. Anderson V Medical Pavilion as a tribute to their son, who passed away from cancer in 2004. Construction on the building is projected to be completed in 2016. CERTAIN SD BLOOD BANK SUPPLIES STILL BELOW SAFE LEVELS San Diego Blood Bank officials said O-negative and B-negative blood supplies are still below safe levels. O negative blood supplies are less than three days’ worth and B negative blood supplies are less than two, said officials.
“This is a very risky situation, since O negative is the universal donor, the only type safely given to any trauma patient when there is not time to identify their blood type,” said San Diego Blood Bank spokeswoman Lynn Stedd. “B-negative patients can only receive blood from B-negative and O-negative donors, meaning that these patients have very few options right now.”
The blood shortage was brought on by a national shortage of saline. The saline shortage was caused by a worse-than-average flu season in December and January that spiked the demand for intravenous saline for dehydrated patients. 
Anyone at least 17 years old, who is in good health and weighing at least 114 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. Plenty of fluids and a good meal are recommended before donating. For more information, visit www.sandiegobloodbank.org, or call (800) 469-7322. FIREFIGHTERS GETTING READY TO GIVE ‘THE BOOT’ TO BURNS Local firefighters will take to the streets March 13 for the Burn Institute’s 15th annual “Fill the Boot for the Burn Institute” Firefighter Boot Drive.
What began more than a decade ago as a grass-roots effort backed by the fire service, the Burn Institute’s countywide Boot Drive has become a hallmark fundraiser for the organization, raising nearly $200,000 for Burn Institute programs and services in 2013.
Each year, hundreds of uniformed firefighters from fire departments all over the county come together for a common goal, hopping aboard their engines to meet at intersections within their communities to collect donations in their boots during the morning and evening commutes. Motorists help to fill the boots with spare change. This year, dedicated firefighters from 44 departments will hit the streets at nearly 100 intersections around the county.
Proceeds benefit Burn Institute fire and burn prevention education programs and burn-survivor support programs like Camp Beyond the Scars for burn-injured children, 5-17 years. Celebrating its 27th season, the Burn Institute’s unique camp program has provided a safe place for many hundreds of young burn survivors.
For more information, call (858) 541-2277, or visit www.burninstitute.org. LA JOLLA GARDEN CLUB TO HOST TALK ON ‘SECRET GARDENS’ La Jolla Garden Club’s March 18 meeting at 1 p.m. at La Jolla Lutheran Church will feature speaker Patrick Anderson. A horticulturist and passionate gardener, Anderson will narrate a slide presentation on the “Secret Gardens of California.”
Patrick’s Fallbrook garden has been featured in Sunset, Horticulture, Traditional Home and San Diego Home and Garden magazines.  Anderson also appeared on the PBS TV show “The Victory Garden.”
A reception and tea social follows. Guests are welcome.  
For reservations or more information, call (858) 453-0828, or email [email protected].