Each day more than 300 transfusions are needed by patients in our area. Seventy-five percent of the  population will need blood at some time in their lives. In contrast, only 5 percent of the population donates blood.

Experience and caring are the hallmarks of the Whole Blood Collection Team. These skilled professionals  guide each donor through a careful medical screening and collection procedure. Blood is drawn by sterile equipment; all needles are discarded after one use.

Each unit of blood undergoes rigorous testing procedures. In addition to blood typing, tests include  screening for hepatitis, syphilis, HTLV-I, and HIV. Blood that tests positive is destroyed and the  donor notified.

The blood is distributed to area hospitals for trauma victims, premature newborns, and patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment and other procedures.