The Stanford Blood Center will give a "thanks" Thursday to 400 people who have donated blood 100 or more times each, and will also serve them breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel in Palo Alto.

"This is not your typical Silicon Valley breakfast," Michele Hyndman of the blood center said. "This amazing group of people has helped save countless lives and their commitment to our community is remarkable."

Two of the special guests will be people who have donated blood 500 times each.

The buffet breakfast will be held at the Sheraton Hotel from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday.

"It's the highlight of my year," said blood donor Dennis Briskin. "This is one place I can go to rub elbows with the most dedicated, public-health-oriented people I know."

The blood center is looking for more donors, too. The center is below minimum inventory is seven out of eight blood types.

Donors can call 650-723-7831 or toll-free at 888-723-7831 to schedule an appointment and get directions.

The center serves patients at Stanford Hospital & Clinics, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, El Camino Hospital, the Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, the Livermore Veterans Affairs Hospital and three free-standing local surgery centers.

-- Don Kazak