Expansion enhances statewide blood supplies and services across Georgia. 

• Blood Depot: A newly designed storage and distribution system that will streamline the collection and delivery process, ensuring faster and more reliable turnaround times for our hospital partners.
• Reference Lab: Upgraded systems and technology that support specialty blood cases, with advanced testing and improved blood matching.
• Donor Room: More space and resources for donors, offering a more comfortable and welcoming environment.

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The Blood Connection proudly announces the selection of Amber Fuller, Senior Director of Technical Services, as a member of the America’s Blood Centers (ABC) 2025-2026 Executive Fellows Program.

PIEDMONT, SC (January 23, 2025) – The Blood Connection proudly announces the selection of Amber Fuller, Senior Director of Technical Services, as a member of the America’s Blood Centers (ABC) 2025-2026 Executive Fellows Program. This prestigious program, launched by ABC in collaboration with Vanderbilt University, provides top-tier executive leadership training tailored to the blood industry.

“Amber’s commitment to operational excellence and patient care are prime example of the traits that define her as a future leader within our industry,” said Delisa English, President and CEO for The Blood Connection. “Her selection for the Executive Fellows Program reflects her passion for making a meaningful impact, not just within our organization but across the entire blood community.”

Fuller’s dedication to operational excellence was exemplified in her leadership and oversight in constructing a secondary component processing facility and immunohematology laboratory services operation from start to finish.  The process was completed in record time and once completed, ensured continuity of operations for our organization–allowing us to service multiple healthcare partners in that service area.

Fuller goes out of her way to ensure that patient needs always come first. She spends countless amounts of time with her team coaching and mentoring them on the nuances of customer care, as well as remaining committed to always providing blood products where and when needed. A prime example of Ms. Fuller’s excellent leadership is when faced with a situation where surgeries would have been cancelled because of grounded flights due to the weather, she and the team brainstormed a solution to have the products driven 13 hours by a volunteer team member. It’s this type of leadership that inspires her team to go above and beyond to meet patient needs.

“We are proud to announce this exceptional group of leaders selected for our inaugural Executive Fellows Program,” said Kate Fry, CEO of America’s Blood Centers. “This cohort represents some of the best and brightest individuals across all segments of our industry. Through their participation in this innovative program with Vanderbilt University, these individuals will enhance their own leadership skills and strengthen the entire blood community.” 

“We are honored to welcome the inaugural cohort of the Executive Fellows Program as they embark on this unique educational journey with us,” said Becca Yancey, Managing Director of Executive Education at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. “We’re excited to work closely with this exceptional group of individuals, combining Vanderbilt’s academic rigor with their real-world experience across the blood community. This program has been crafted with America’s Blood Centers to nurture their growth as leaders and innovators, ultimately strengthening the entire blood community.”
The Executive Fellows Program will commence in March of 2025 at the ABC Annual Meeting. The program strives to equip its participants with industry specific insights and advanced leadership skills. Fuller joins a distinguished cohort of 23 other professionals from various sectors of the blood services field. Her leadership continues to make a significant impact at The Blood Connection and beyond.

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PIEDMONT, SC (January 7, 2025) – As the first major winter storm of 2025 bears down on the region, The Blood Connection (TBC) is planning ahead to prevent what could be a critical shortage of blood supplies. With only 2-3 days’ worth of inventory on hand, TBC is calling on residents across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia to donate blood now to ensure that hospitals can continue to provide lifesaving care during the storm and its aftermath.

The approaching storm is expected to bring severe weather, including snow, ice, and power outages, which could disrupt blood collection efforts for days. In the face of these challenges, TBC is working to build its blood inventory to 5-7 days’ worth of blood products before the storm strikes—critical to sustaining local hospitals and meeting the needs of patients in urgent need of care.

In response to this critical need, TBC has activated its Emergency Continuity of Operations plan to ensure that blood collection efforts are maximized as long as conditions allow. However, with operational disruptions imminent, TBC is offering donors a special incentive to encourage immediate action: $50 in TBC rewards for blood donations at mobile drives and $70 in TBC rewards for donations at any TBC Community Donation Center through Friday, January 10th.

“Right now, we must increase our level of blood inventory,” said Dr. Robert Rainer, Medical Director at The Blood Connection. “Our team is already dealing with drive cancellations and closures in Virginia, and we are preparing for even more disruptions as the storm moves through.”

At the close of the holiday season, TBC saw a decrease in donations, resulting in lower-than-normal inventories, while blood usage remained high—leaving the organization facing an emergency-level shortfall just as weather conditions threaten to further impact collections.

“We’re in an urgent situation,” Dr. Rainer added. “TBC needs to collect more than 1,000 units of blood a day to support our 130+ healthcare partners across the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia.  Donors and blood drive hosts must step up to the plate now, so we can ensure our hospitals have the blood products they need. The time to act is now—before the storm hits and before we’re forced to stop collections.”

This storm comes on the heels of recent national tragedies that caused the activation of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), of which TBC is a member. BERC exists to ensure blood is always available for any emergency nationwide. With emergency reserves being used and collections about to be forced to end for the storm, TBC urges everyone to protect the blood supply for your hospital and donate today!

TBC is asking all eligible individuals to help secure the region’s blood supply and donate as soon as possible. Donors can make an appointment at one of TBC’s 20 donation centers or find a bloodmobile near them by visiting thebloodconnection.org/donate. While appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are also welcome. For the latest updates on blood drives and potential closures, please visit thebloodconnection.org.

With severe weather expected, the urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Help ensure that hospitals across the Southeast have the blood products they need to save lives. Donate today.

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Evans, GA (December 17, 2024) – The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center is expanding more convenient ways to donate blood in the greater Augusta area by opening a new, permanent blood donation center in Evans, GA.  The ribbon cutting will take place at 11am on Tuesday, December 17^th in partnership with the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud to give the greater Augusta community more ways to donate in the community by unveiling our new Evans Center,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “With our Evans and Augusta centers, we are ensuring donors receive industry leading hospitality, respect for time, professionalism, and gratitude for their selfless act of heroism—donating blood. Blood is a lifeline during an emergency and is vital for patients at Doctors Hospital and the JMS Burn Center who receive our blood products thanks to local lifesavers.”

The newest fixed donation site represents another milestone for the non-profit blood center as they expand their Georgia operations—bolstering their support for over 120 hospitals in the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia. As the blood provider to Doctors Hospital of Augusta, this donation center will give TBC the ability to expand its’ ability to collect and distribute life-saving blood products in the local community.

In addition to whole blood donations, members of the Evans community will have the opportunity to donate platelets and plasma, which are blood components commonly used by patients fighting cancer or bleeding disorders, as well as burn victims.

The Evans donation center is open from Friday to Tuesday from 9am to 4pm, and the Augusta donation center is open 7 days a week from 7am-7pm Monday through Friday, and 7am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. For more information, or to make an appointment, please visit thebloodconnection.org/donate.

About The Blood Connection

Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to over 130 hospitals within South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. 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.