Operation: REPLENISH - A Mission to Save Lives
Join us in honoring our Founder, Nicole Joy Ledina’s legacy by giving life through blood donation.
Together, we give life.
Click the button to Join the Mission
The Heart of Operation: REPLENISH Nicole’s Journey
Nicole Joy Ledina endured a courageous battle but passed away from a rare autoimmune condition before she could fulfill her heartfelt wish:
Nicole Joy Ledina - Our Founder, said to her Dad shortly before her passing
“I want to replenish all the blood they used on me and more… so others will have a chance at life.”
Operation: REPLENISH is our collective mission to carry Nicole’s legacy forward — joining together to replenish the blood supply, save lives, and bring hope to those in need.
What is Operation: REPLENISH?
In Partnership with:
Operation: REPLENISH is a lifesaving blood donation and fundraising program, launched in partnership with the San Diego Blood Bank/Southern California Blood Bank. This initiative honors Nicole’s legacy by mobilizing our community in a mission to save lives.
Through our Blood Drive, ongoing donor registrations, and a new supporter participation campaign, we’re working to replenish the blood supply so more lives can be saved.
Partnership with trusted local blood banks
Ongoing blood donor registration throughout the annual campaign
Supporter campaigns to amplify support
Strengthening community health and hope
Ways You Can Support the Mission:
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Click the “Join The Mission” Button below.
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Interested in organizing a blood drive in support of Operation: Replenish at/with your school, work, organization, or community? If yes, click the “Join The Mission” Button, Click Yes in Partner with Us section and provide information.
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If you’re unable to donate blood or would like to further support the Mission, please consider a monetary donation. Your generous gift will help fuel program growth and community outreach.
Click this link to be directed to our Operation: REPLENISH campaign page, powered by GiveButter to make a monetary donation:
https://givebutter.com/operation-replenish
We are a registered 501 c 3 Public Charity.
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Help us raise awareness by sharing this Mission with your network.
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Post and Share about your participation in and support for Operation: REPLENISH and Empathy is the Remedy. Tag us and give us a Shout Out on your favorite Social Media platforms. Please copy and use the following hashtags:
#OperationReplenish #MissionToSaveLives #TogetherWeGiveLife #EmpathyIsTheRemedy #HonorNicoleLedina #GiveBloodSaveLives #BloodDonationDrive #DonateBlood #SanDiegoBloodBank #LifesavingMission #CommunityCares
Our socials are in the Menu header above.
Click the button to Join the Mission
Why Donate Blood?
There is no substitute for human blood; blood cannot be manufactured
If all eligible donors gave blood at least three (3) times a year, blood shortages would be rare
One pint of blood can save up to three lives
Did You Know?
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36,000 pints of donated blood are transfused into patients each day in the US
Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion
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About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital will need blood
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A standard blood donation is typically donating a pint or 500 mL unit of whole blood
An average size woman has 10 pints of blood; an average size man has 12 pints
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7% of your body weight is blood
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Join Operation: REPLENISH - Together We Give Life
Join NOW:
Click the “Join the Mission ” button below to join the Mission.
Blood Drive
Event Details
Date: 2026-27 Campaign Launching Saturday, July 11, 2026, Nicole’s Birthday weekend, and will be an ongoing program
Time: Multiple Time Slots Available
Location: Multiple Locations Available
San Diego Blood Bank currently has 10 donation locations and various blood drives throughout San Diego County and Southern California—Orange, Los Angeles, Imperial and Riverside counties.
Campaign Code: Nicole's blood donation code is NL26. Please mention the code at registration when you come in for your blood donation appointment.
JOIN THE MISSION: Please click the “Join the Mission Now” button below.
Ongoing Program: Since this is an ongoing program, we encourage all supporters to make multiple blood and recurring gift donations throughout the year, if you are able.
Voices of Hope and Gratitude
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![Roger Ledina - Executive Director]()
“I am Thrilled that we are launching Operation: REPLENISH to honor Nicole’s legacy. She really wanted to replenish all the blood products that she used and more, during her hospitalization . . . unfortunately she was not able to fulfill that wish. With OPERATION REPLENISH we can all help in making that come true for her. Together we can all Give precious Life to others in need. Please Join us in this Mission to Save Lives!
Roger Ledina - Executive Director, Empathy is the Remedy Foundation - “Dad”
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![Claudine Van Gonka, Director of Community Relations & Media]()
“We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with Empathy is the Remedy in our shared mission to uplift and strengthen our community. Together we’ll work to ensure hospital patients in Southern California in need get the life-saving blood products they need to survive and thrive."
Claudine Van Gonka, Director of Community Relations & Media - San Diego Blood Bank
FAQs
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Click the “Join the Mission” Buttons throughout this page.
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You can help expand the program’s reach and impact by helping to organize blood drives at/with your school, work, organization, or community. Click the “Join The Mission” buttons throughout this page, Click Yes in the Partner With Us section, and provide phone number and brief description/idea on the form.
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Blood Donation Safety and Eligibility is fully managed and determined by our partners, San Diego Blood Bank also operating as Southern California Blood Bank in some counties and the American Red Cross SleevesUp Program. Please refer to their information and guidance on their respective websites.
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Spread the word. Share with your friends, family, and contacts
Share Posts & Tag us on Social Media
Make a monetary donation.
See the “Ways You Can Support the Mission” section at this link for more details → Link
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Please fill in our contact form and we will get back to you ASAP.
Click Here → Contact Form Link