Storm’s Path Threatens Local Blood Supply
GREENVILLE, S.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#blooddonor–As evacuations begin for those in the path of Hurricane Dorian, The Blood Connection has also been forced to move its coastal resources out of the Charleston area. Any resources used to collect blood in that area have been moved to Greenville, SC. More blood drives will be added in order to support the areas where TBC is unable to collect donations during the storm.
“We are in a critical time window now to get the donations we need before the hurricane so there is no worry about local supply when it hits, wherever it hits,” said TBC President and CEO, Delisa English. “This is an all hands on deck situation for blood donors. Saving lives is TBC’s everyday responsibility and that doesn’t change when the weather does. Local hospital patients are counting on us.”
Blood donations in the Upstate of South Carolina, Western North Carolina, and Raleigh will be even more vital this week to make sure the local blood supply holds steady through the storm. TBC provides blood products to more than 70 hospitals in three states (Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina), some of which are along the East Coast. As those communities prepare for the hurricane, blood donors in other communities farther inland are being asked to support those unable to donate or have scheduled blood drives because of the hurricane.
TBC will be opening its Anderson Mall (SC) location this week as an emergency collections site. Others will be added on as TBC shifts resources. Donors can find hours and blood drive information on TBC’s website page dedicated to Hurricane Dorian updates: thebloodconnection.org/hurricane. Donors can call 1-800-392-6551 with any questions.
Donors can also visit any TBC center in the Upstate of South Carolina, as well as Asheville and Raleigh in North Carolina: 435 Woodruff Road, Greenville, SC; 341 Old Abbeville Highway, Greenwood, SC; 5116 Calhoun Memorial Hwy, Easley, SC; 1308 Sandifer Boulevard, Seneca, SC; 270 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg, SC; 225 Airport Rd, Arden, NC; 5925 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC. Centers are open Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on the weekends 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donors can also find a mobile blood drive near them at thebloodconnection.org. TBC thanks the many donors who will respond to this need.
About The Blood Connection
The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. Founded in Greenville, South Carolina, TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to more than 70 hospitals within Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its dedication to disaster preparedness and the community, TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.
Contacts
Allie Van Dyke
864-751-3020
[email protected]
