Pittsburgh Magazine’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival is one week closer, which means we’re just six weeks from a night of high-end spirits sampling, a plentiful dinner and interactive whiskey experiences. 

While the Whiskey Fest is a destination for spirits aficionados and casual fans alike, it will also raise money for a worthy cause. The Blood Science Foundation (BSF) is a proud partner and the nonprofit beneficiary of the festival. 

If you’ve never heard of The Blood Science Foundation, now is your chance to up your nonprofit game. BSF is the philanthropic arm of Vitalant, formerly called Central Blood Bank. Through fundraising and public education efforts, the foundation supports the life-saving mission of Vitalant – to provide an adequate blood supply to approximately 45 regional hospitals. 

Vitalant is only able to collect about 47 percent of the local need —  the rest must be purchased at a cost exceeding $20 million a year. BSF also provides funds for research aimed at curing blood-related diseases and ensuring safe blood transfusion practices. You can help support this worthy cause by participating in a raffle and silent auction at the Whiskey Festival. Prizes will include several varieties of aged, premium whiskey, vacation packages and getaways.

Your donations will help members of our community such as 3-month-old Kyrie, who was able to survive a rare heart disease after receiving a heart transplant and several blood transfusions that were made possible thanks to the funds raised by the Blood Science Foundation. 

For those who can’t wait until Oct. 23 for Pittsburgh Magazine’s Whiskey & Fine Spirits Festival, donations can be made online here.