Emergency Preparedness: Blood Reserves and Disaster Response

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. That number increases in the face of large-scale emergencies. Natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and widespread health crises can quickly strain blood banks and medical facilities, emphasizing the need for a readily accessible national blood supply. But emergencies aren’t the time to collect immediately needed donations; blood must be available when the emergency occurs — ultimately, it’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives. Unfortunately, blood can’t be recreated or substituted, so the national blood supply depends on the regular generosity of blood donors.

A steady blood supply is a cornerstone of emergency preparedness and can be the difference between life and death. And while having that supply in anticipation of unexpected surges in demand is essential, maintaining a steady flow of donations during and after disasters is equally important to sustain ongoing readiness.

The Importance of Blood Reserves in Disaster Response

Predicting the timing and scale of disasters is nearly impossible. Having a reliable blood supply at all times is the key to mitigating the stress caused by emergency situations that cause a sudden surge in demand for blood. Beyond the increase in demand, disasters can lead to a lower number of donors, further depleting the supply. Building a steady blood supply ensures medical facilities have immediate access to adequate quantities of various blood types.

In times of crisis, the importance of a steady blood supply can’t be overstated. Disasters leave communities grappling with a shortage in blood donations, whether due to logistical challenges or an inability for individuals to donate. A proactive approach requires the community’s involvement and commitment to ensuring the available blood supply stays at levels that allow healthcare professionals to care for those affected by the emergencies. By working together, we can better equip our country and local communities to handle unforeseen challenges and save countless lives.

Challenges To Maintaining a Blood Supply

Maintaining a steady blood supply is often easier said than done. From the biological nature of blood to uncontrollable external factors, there are countless reasons why the national blood supply might dip below ideal levels.

For starters, blood has a very limited shelf life. Platelets can last five to seven days, and red blood cells can last 21 to 48 days. Every donation must also undergo 24 to 48 hours of post-donation testing. This testing is part of a rigorous screening process that detects infectious diseases or other health issues that could be transmitted during transfusions. While maintaining high safety standards is essential, these processes increase the complexity of donation collection.

Getting blood donations to recipients requires transportation and logistics, which are inherently unpredictable. Delays in supply chains or natural disasters can slow down transportation, impeding timely delivery and affecting availability. At The Blood Connection, we have an expansive fleet of carriers spread out across our areas of service to mitigate the potential impact of supply chain disruptions.

And while these variables demand attention, at the end of the day, the key to maintaining the national blood supply is you — our donors. Unfortunately, seasonal weather, travel, and misconceptions about donating often keep people from regularly donating. 

At The Blood Connection, we’re committed to more than just collecting donations. We prioritize donor education, debunk misconceptions about donating, and highlight the impact of every donation. By creating a culture of transparency and understanding, we’re building a community of knowledgeable and committed donors and doing our part to ensure a reliable and resilient blood supply.

Your Role in Emergency Preparedness

A steady blood supply in the face of a disaster can save lives, but a fully stocked supply is only possible because of the generosity of blood donors. Having a consistent pool of donors helps us maintain a baseline blood supply that can keep up with the increased demand of emergency scenarios. Your donation could mean that medical facilities have the supply they need to address immediate and unexpected needs.

Beyond the sheer volume of donations, a large pool of regular donors also helps build a comprehensive blood supply to treat patients with diverse blood types. A well-rounded supply caters to different patient needs, which is especially critical during emergencies when matching donation blood types to recipients is crucial.

If you want to donate, we invite you to visit The Blood Connection today. When you donate blood, you save lives — a single donation can save up to three lives! Being part of a community of consistent donors allows you to help maintain a stable blood supply that ensures patients get the life-saving measures they need whenever they need them. To start donating, locate a Blood Connection donation center near you. You can schedule an appointment online or simply walk into the center ready to give blood. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll be on your way to saving lives!

The Human Side of Blood Donation: Personal Stories from Recipients

Behind every pint of donated blood lies an incredible story, one of lives touched by the generosity of strangers. But every blood donation is more than a random act of kindness. It’s a connection forged between individuals, creating a culture of generosity and gratitude.

At The Blood Connection, our goal is to help everyone who needs blood have access to it. This is a big goal, and we realize it’s unattainable without the generosity of donors. From mothers dealing with complications during childbirth to children battling leukemia, there are countless people in need of this life-saving resource. We are immensely grateful to have witnessed many recipients get the critical transfusions they need. These are their stories.

The Gift of Life

For many, blood transfusions are a life-saving gift. Whether suffering from an ongoing condition or a victim of an unexpected accident, countless individuals find themselves in life-or-death situations that require blood donations for survival.

Kristen’s time of need came during the birth of her first child. After a smooth pregnancy, she experienced a placental abruption during delivery, which led to a massive hemorrhage. She needed transfusions immediately, and ended up receiving 28 units of platelets, plasma, and whole blood.

“I just remember them bringing bag after bag after bag,” Kristen shared. Her transfusions continued after being moved to the ICU. As scary as the whole experience was, Kristen looks back and knows that she wouldn’t have survived without those transfusions. “It’s been such a humbling experience to realize that the blood other people gave me saved my life.”

Luca is another patient who’s experienced the life-saving nature of blood donations, though his story looks a little different. When he was just two and a half years old, Luca was diagnosed with leukemia. He needed an immediate blood transfusion.

Thanks to the generosity of donors, Luca and his family have experienced the hope that only blood donations can provide. “When your child has been diagnosed with cancer, you feel absolutely helpless,” said Luca’s parents. “We’re so thankful that he’s here and that he has people who donate blood.”

Luca’s parents urge people to donate, even if the impact of a single donation seems insignificant. Their journey through cancer with Luca has taught them that every donation counts. “You just don’t understand how much of an impact you’re making on people by donating.”

From Despair to Hope

During the pandemic, the world was searching for anything and everything that would help those who fell critically ill from COVID-19. The Blood Connection rose to the occasion and became the first blood center to offer antibody testing during the pandemic. By collecting donations from recovered COVID-19 patients, we were able to acquire a blood product, known as convalescent plasma, that had antibodies to help those struggling to fight the virus. 

Lisa was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the middle of the pandemic. Things quickly went from bad to worse, and Lisa found herself being rushed to the emergency room in a state of respiratory distress. “As hard as I tried, I could not get air past my clavicles,” said Lisa. 

But as soon as Lisa started to lose hope, a doctor approached her with some great news: they had a donor for her. “I can’t even tell you, my heart just filled with hope,” Lisa said. “I knew that somebody cared enough to go and donate.” As the transfusion began, Lisa immediately felt it working in her body. “I looked up at the bag, and it was just a bag of gold.”

Lisa was finally able to meet her life-saving donor, Harriet. “I’m just so happy that I was able to help somebody,” Harriet said. “It’s hard to describe what it feels like to know that you saved somebody’s life.” As a result of her experience, she urges others who are able to donate because “doing something that seems so simple to me actually saves lives.”

While we no longer offer antibody results, our ability to do so during an international crisis allowed us to respond to needs quickly and save lives.

Paying It Forward

Christopher is one of our donors who has experienced first-hand the impact a donation can have. His life changed forever when he got into an accident with a semi-truck, resulting in the loss of his leg. His injury required a tourniquet and blood transfusions. Today, Christopher is alive, healthy, and active.“It’s just amazing that people who don’t know me were willing to give blood that saved my life,” he shared. 

His experience as a recipient inspired and motivated him to give back by becoming a regular donor at The Blood Connection. “It feels pretty amazing going through everything that I’ve gone through and then being able to be on the other side of that and give blood to people who need it.” Encouraging others to donate, he added, “You never know whose life you could help save.” 

If you’re considering donating, stop by one of our Blood Connection donation centers. You can schedule an appointment online or simply walk in. Our team is here to make giving blood as easy as possible, ensuring you meet the requirements to safely donate and keeping you informed every step of the way. Whether you make a single donation or become a regular donor, your gift will make a difference.

Check out the video: Full Circle: Local Blood Recipients Meet Their Donors

Specialized Blood Products: How Donations Help Patients With Unique Needs

Whole blood donations save lives. But did you know that a big part of that life-saving quality is the specialized blood products the whole blood contains? Thanks to medical technology and the work of our team members, each of these blood products can be isolated from whole blood donations and prepared to serve specific functions. 

Our blood is full of rich components that allow our bodies to function properly, but some people experience deficiencies or undergo trauma that calls for specialized transfusions. Whole blood and specialized blood donations give countless patients the transfusions they need. Let’s look at those specialized blood products and how The Blood Connection works to maintain a steady supply of each.

Understanding Specialized Blood Products

As we said, several specialized blood products come together to make whole blood. These products can be separated from a whole blood donation to treat patients with specific health needs.

Let’s start with red and white blood cells. Red blood cells are the most abundant cells in the blood. They contain hemoglobin, a protein that binds to oxygen in the lungs and releases it to body tissues. Red blood cells’ primary task is to equip the body to perform metabolic processes and generate energy. Conversely, white blood cells directly support our immune systems, as they help defend against infections, viruses, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.

Next is plasma, the liquid component of blood. Plasma is a combination of water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and nutrients. At the most basic level, plasma is the transport system for red cells, white cells, and every other blood component, including the platelets that play a crucial role in blood clotting and help prevent excessive bleeding.

Unfortunately, not everyone has enough of these blood products for their body to function optimally. Understanding the life-saving capabilities of each blood component makes it easier to understand the importance of blood products and whole blood donations.

Types of Specialized Blood Products

With this basic overview of blood products in mind, let’s take a closer look at the specific functions of each and how they’re collected and stored.

Platelets

Platelets are colorless cells in the blood that stick to the lining of blood vessels — and each other — to stop or prevent bleeding. They can be separated from whole blood and combined with other donations to create one transfusable unit. They can also be obtained using an apheresis machine, which allows a single donor to contribute four to six times more platelets than they would through a standard whole blood donation. 

The most common uses of platelets include cancer treatments, organ transplants, and surgeries. They can also be used to treat a condition called thrombocytopenia, a shortage of platelets, and other platelet function abnormalities.

Plasma

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. Approximately 90% water, it helps maintain proper blood pressure and volume and supplies critical protein for blood clotting and overall immunity. Plasma also carries electrolytes to muscles to help maintain the body’s pH balance, promoting proper cell function.

Plasma is collected by separating the liquid portion of blood from the cells. Like platelets, it can be separated from whole blood or collected using an apheresis machine. Donated plasma is frozen within 24 hours to preserve its valuable clotting factors. Once frozen, it can be stored for up to a year and thawed when needed. Plasma donations are most commonly used to treat trauma, burn, and shock, but they can also be beneficial for patients with liver disease or clotting factor deficiencies.

Red Blood Cells

Red blood cells give blood its distinctive color. They’re produced in the blood marrow and are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and taking carbon dioxide from the lungs to be exhaled. How plentiful are red blood cells? Two to three drops of blood hold approximately one billion red blood cells!

Red blood cells are removed from plasma and used to treat anemia without significantly altering a patient’s blood volume. They can also be used to address acute blood loss and a broad spectrum of blood disorders.

Cryoprecipitate

Cryoprecipitate, or cryo, is the plasma component that’s richest in clotting factors. These clotting factors slow or stop bleeding caused by illness or injury. Cryo is collected by freezing and slowly thawing plasma. It’s then combined with contributions from other donors to create a sufficient amount for a single transfusion.

Cryo is most commonly used to control bleeding in people whose blood doesn’t clot properly. Patients with hemophilia or Von Willebrand disease often require cryo transfusions, and cryo also serves as a valuable source of fibrinogen for patients who struggle to produce enough clotting protein on their own. 

How You Can Make a Difference With TBC

At The Blood Connection, we collect four donation types: plasma, platelets, red blood cells, and whole blood. We can separate the components during and after your donation to give recipients precisely what they need. The process and donor eligibility can vary based on the type of donation, so it’s vital that you talk to one of our team members to ensure you’re eligible to donate.

While maintaining a diverse set of blood products is important, having a full supply of products from every blood type is also critical to ensuring patients have what they need going into procedures. That’s why we encourage our donors to learn their blood types. Your blood type could be in high demand and be the life-saving gift someone’s been waiting for!

Whole blood donations are the most common type. During this donation, a pint of blood is collected and used primarily for trauma and surgery. It’s the quickest and easiest type of donation and can be done every 56 days. If you want to donate whole blood, you must be at least 110 pounds and 16 or older. 

Platelets are made in your bone marrow and can be donated every seven days at one of our donation centers. All donors must be 17 or older, and their platelet count must be at least 150, depending on blood volume. Additionally, female donors must be tested for HLA if they’ve ever been pregnant.

Plasma donors can donate at one of our centers every 28 days. Like with platelet donations, female donors who have been pregnant must be tested for HL, and all plasma donors must be 17 years or older.

When only red cells are donated, we call this a double red cell donation. Double red cell donors can give every 112 days in one of our centers or select mobile donation centers. To make this kind of donation, you must be 17 years or older and have a hemoglobin level of at least 13.3 g/dl. 

If you want to complete one of our four types of donations, please visit our website to schedule an appointment today. We’d love to help you discover which donation type is best for you and help you do your part to save lives in your community!

Blood Donation and Public Health: The Broader Impact on Communities

Donated blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. for situations ranging from emergency surgeries to ongoing cancer treatments. The ongoing generosity of regular donors allows public health facilities to always have the blood supply they need to treat patients effectively. 

Here at The Blood Connection, we work to create a culture of blood donation in our communities because we know the value of regular blood donations. We work to educate and equip donors to give this life-saving gift on a regular basis so that public health facilities can maintain a steady blood supply.

Meeting Diverse Needs

Since different people have different blood types and Rh factors, incompatible blood transfusions can cause serious complications. This reality makes it critical to match the donor’s blood type with the recipient’s blood type. Regular blood donations from people of all races and genders ensure a diverse blood supply to accommodate patients with specific blood compatibility needs.

Whole blood donations, which include red and white blood cells, platelets, and plasma, can be used in medical emergencies and to treat patients who need a boost in blood volume. It can be separated into various components to meet specific patient needs. This versatility makes whole blood donations uniquely important. 

The individual components of blood play specific roles in treating those in need. Red blood transfusions help patients with anemia, extreme blood loss, and chronic conditions. Donated red blood cells are especially helpful in improving oxygen delivery to tissues and organs. Platelets prevent blood clotting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or individuals with bleeding disorders. As these patients are prone to bleeding complications, having a reliable supply of platelets ensures they get the care they need when they need it. Plasma transfusions can help patients with clotting disorders, liver disease, and immune deficiencies.

Ultimately, patients with specialized needs, including those with rare blood disorders or specific medical conditions, require specific blood components that are less commonly available. Regular blood donations help public health facilities maintain a supply of rare blood types and distinct blood components that can meet the individual needs of each patient. 

Preparing for Emergencies

Consistent blood donations also ensure a steady blood supply that can support the sudden needs of large-scale emergency scenarios. Natural disasters, accidents, and mass casualty incidents are just a few of the emergency instances that would call for large amounts of blood. Having enough blood available enables public health professionals to respond quickly and completely to patient needs in the face of overwhelming demand.

Emergencies are extremely time-sensitive, so the sooner patients receive a blood transfusion, the better their chances of recovery and survival. A consistent blood supply eliminates delays in getting blood to patients and allows medical professionals to provide the fastest treatment possible. In emergencies, it’s typically the blood on the shelves that saves lives.

Collaborations Between Donation Centers and Public Health Agencies

Blood donation centers are crucial in collecting and processing blood donations from donors. Public health agencies provide guidelines for blood collection and safety; they also set donor eligibility requirements, testing procedures, and quality control measures that ensure the blood collected is safe for transfusion. Without these guidelines, blood donation centers’ collection efforts would be pointless.

Donor education is an essential part of the blood donation process. Public health agencies draw donors’ attention to the importance of blood donation while dispelling myths and addressing concerns. Blood donation centers leverage these educational resources to ensure their donors are well-informed about the process and benefits of donating blood. Not only does proper education help donors feel safe and comfortable throughout the process, but it also promotes a culture of ongoing generosity that fuels consistent donations.

To prepare for anticipated— and unexpected — needs, public health agencies collect and analyze data about supply and demand, donor demographics, and health trends. This information allows both public health facilities and blood donation centers to more accurately plan for the future, improve donor recruitment strategies, and enhance overall efficiency.

Inspiring Community Engagement

Blood donation is an amazing gift. Donors willingly give a part of themselves to help others, demonstrating a strong commitment to helping those in need. The simple act of donating creates a bond between donors and recipients, even if they never have the chance to meet. The donor knows their donation has life-changing potential, and the recipient knows their life is changed because of the generosity of a donor.

When people choose to donate, they become part of a greater cause. The shared mission of saving lives creates a sense of community. Donation events can bring together diverse groups of people, creating opportunities for new conversations and connections within a community.

At The Blood Connection, we strive to create a culture of giving in our communities. Through blood drives and the welcoming environment in our donation centers, we seek to build a community that looks out for each other. We hope that as people see donors’ impact, they’ll be inspired to donate. 

We are so grateful for our community of regular donors who are dedicated to saving the lives of those in need. If you’re considering donating, we encourage you to schedule an appointment on our website today. Not only will you be saving lives, but you’ll be joining a community of donors who share your passion for helping others.

Tips and Tricks for Organizing a Successful Blood Drive

Have you ever driven past an event and seen a bloodmobile outside? There’s a good chance that was one of our many blood drives! 

Blood drives provide opportunities for communities to come together and donate. These mobile drives allow people to donate blood at a central location that’s convenient for them, which encourages more people to donate. That’s a big deal because the more people that donate, the larger the blood supply!

At The Blood Connection, we make hosting a blood drive easy. Some of the most loyal members of our donor community aren’t just donors; they’re also blood drive hosts. If you’d like to learn more about why blood drives are important and how we can help you host your own blood drive, keep reading.

The Power of Community Blood Drives

Blood drives play a big role in helping us fulfill our mission of saving lives. The blood collected from drives can be used in various medical situations, from surgeries to cancer treatments to childbirth complications. Every donation has the potential to make a life-saving difference for those in need. 

Blood drives bring together a large group of donors, increasing the likelihood that multiple blood types can be collected at a single event. Having a full range of blood types available ensures that every patient can get the blood they need when they need it.

Before attending a blood drive, few people truly understand the importance of maintaining a steady blood supply. Blood drives provide an opportunity to raise awareness for the role of blood donations in healthcare. When they attend or donate in a drive, community members are given a chance to learn about and discuss donating blood, which helps increase the number of regular donors and dispel any misconceptions about the donation process. 

The benefits of hosting a blood drive extend beyond the immediate supply of collected blood. Blood drive hosts play a significant role in creating a generous culture of consistent donation within their community. Once established, this culture can lead to a sustainable and reliable blood supply, which makes it easier for medical professionals to treat immediate medical needs and future emergencies.

Preparing for Success: Planning Your Blood Drive

Hosting a blood drive can have a positive impact on the overall blood supply, but it takes some planning to make it successful. After you’ve contacted The Blood Connection, here are a few steps we recommend for planning your blood drive: 

1. Pick a location: Since convenience is a big part of a successful blood drive, make sure to find a site that is appealing to potential donors. Show that you’re a good steward of their donation by also being a good steward of their time.
2. Gauge community interest: Your community is the heart of your blood drive. Having a group of people rally behind you ensures the drive runs smoothly and as many donations as possible are collected. Develop a potential donor list, and start reaching out. Then, challenge those who are interested to spread the word and recruit other donors!
3. Generate Enthusiasm: Now’s the time to start getting people excited to donate! Whether you reach out personally or post promotional materials, find ways to make the event fun. The best blood drives are those that people are looking forward to.
4. Recruit help: Running a blood drive takes a lot of work, so you’ll need some help. Find a few volunteers who are willing to help alongside you. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who’s especially passionate about donating blood to get involved.
5. Show appreciation: Once your blood drive is over, reach out to everyone who donated to show your appreciation. It’s important to recognize — and celebrate — that they just gave a life-saving gift. Acknowledging the significance of their donation will reinforce the importance of donating blood and make them more likely to donate again.

While there are always similarities, every blood drive looks different. Focus on planning what works best for your community. The important thing is educating people about the need for blood donations and getting them excited to meet that need. 

Partnering With The Blood Connection

Our mobile buses and inside setup equipment let you host a blood drive almost anywhere. You can also always bring a group to any of our donation centers. Whatever works best for you works best for us.

To host your blood drive, start by filling out the Host a Drive form on our website. Simply provide some basic information and the estimated number of donors, and we’ll follow up and tell you everything you need to know.

Ready to start planning your blood drive? Contact us today. 

Let the life-saving begin!

Community Spotlight: Recognizing Outstanding Blood Donors

Blood donation is a life-saving gift. Without generous donors, patients in need would lack the vital resource they need to live the healthiest life possible. Many people choose to donate purely from the kindness of their hearts. Others have experienced the impact of blood donations personally. No matter why people choose to donate, their willingness to give provides hope to those in need. 

At The Blood Connection, we recognize that our mission of saving lives would be impossible without our blood donors. We appreciate their willingness to give blood and their excitement for the difference their donations will make in the lives of others in their communities.

Let’s take a closer look at the impact of blood donations and how we work to give our donors the recognition they deserve.

The Impact of Blood Donations

Medical emergencies often require blood transfusions due to major blood loss or critical surgeries. Donated blood helps stabilize a patient’s condition and prevent further complications. For planned procedures, blood donations ensure there’s a sufficient supply of blood to perform operations successfully.

Patients with cancer or blood disorders require ongoing treatment and regular blood transfusions to alleviate medication-related side effects and improve their overall health. Without these vital transfusions, patients would not have the strength to undergo rigorous treatment regimens.

From time to time, childbirth complications also require timely blood transfusions to address excessive bleeding or other medical issues. In these situations, donated blood can save the lives of mothers and their babies.

On a larger scale, blood donations are crucial in maintaining a constant blood supply and preventing shortages. Hospitals and healthcare facilities need to have a sufficient supply of blood products on hand for both planned and unplanned procedures.

The best part about blood donation is that it’s not just a one-to-one donor/recipient ratio — a single donation can save up to three lives! This fact alone shows the life-changing ripple effect that the selfless generosity of blood donors can have on the lives of individuals and families.

TBC Rewards Program

Saving lives is its own reward. But here at The Blood Connection, we recognize that donors are taking time out of their days to make a difference, so we think it’s important to do a little more to acknowledge their generosity. With the TBC Rewards Program, our loyal donors get additional perks for donating — and we make it easy to get started.

When you become a TBC donor, you’ll create a personal donor profile that connects to your rewards account. Once your account is linked to your profile, you can access it using the Donor Portal. The TBC Donor Portal lets you view your blood type, edit your contact preferences, see your donation eligibility data, take a survey about your donation experience, and view your mini-physical results. You can also use it to see how many reward points you’ve earned.

As part of the TBC Rewards Program, you receive reward points every time you donate. These points can be collected and redeemed for an eGift card of your choosing. We’ve recently updated the TBC store to include even more eGift card options for our loyal donors.

Why Donor Recognition Is Important

Beyond the TBC Rewards Program, we love sharing donor stories, whether that be on our website or social channels. Our donors drive the mission of The Blood Connection, so we think it’s important for them to have a chance to share what donating blood means to them. Here are a couple stories that highlight the personal impact and critical importance of every donation.

Shelby’s Story

Shelby is a high school student and regular donor at The Blood Connection. She initially thought donating blood was just something people did to make a little extra money, but her perspective changed when she learned the life-saving impacts of blood donation. Shelby currently works as a tech at MUSC, so she’s seen firsthand how blood is used on her unit. “It’s probably one of the most important things someone can do,” she said.

As the president of her local Future Health Professionals club, Shelby has scheduled multiple TBC blood drives to unite others around the mission of saving lives through blood donations. We appreciate her dedication to donating and her desire to help others become regular donors.

Lisa’s Story

Lisa had a cesarean section and a hysterectomy when she gave birth, and blood donations saved her life. Since then, she’s become a regular donor at The Blood Connection and encourages others to do the same. “Don’t think. Don’t stop,” she said. “Drive to a donation center and come give blood. Somebody needs it. You might need it in the future.”

Lisa drives over an hour to get to her local center and donate. For her, every mile is worth it. “You’ll walk away feeling like you’ve done something great for someone else.”

Telling our donors’ stories helps build a sense of community that makes The Blood Connection unique. Our community of donors can see they are part of a larger group committed to a common goal of supporting the health of others. 

Beyond their individual donations, our donors play a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of blood donation and the need to maintain a steady blood supply. Their stories provide an opportunity to educate others about the significance of donating blood.

How You Can Get Involved

Becoming a donor at The Blood Connection is easy. Simply schedule your appointment online by visiting our website. To set up your donation, just click the “Donate Now” link and provide your zip code. With that information, we’ll locate a donation center near you. And while we prefer you make an appointment, it’s not required. Walk-ins are always welcome. 

When you arrive at a TBC donation center, provide your personal ID and donor ID card. You’ll be eligible to donate as long as you meet all the blood donor requirements. See our Important Donor Information for a complete list of donor eligibility requirements. Once you’ve completed your mini-physical, you can sit back, relax, and save lives.

Like Shelby, you can also get involved by hosting TBC blood drives. Our mobile donation centers can come to you. You bring the donors; we’ll do the rest. Complete the Host a Drive form on our website to start planning your drive today.

Ready to donate? Schedule your appointment at The Blood Connection today to start saving lives and earning rewards!