Regional Hospitals Choose The Blood Connection as Sole Blood Provider

GEORGIA & SOUTH CAROLINA (JULY 24, 2023) – The Blood Connection (TBC), an independently
managed, non-profit community blood center is announcing a new partnership to serve as the sole blood
provider for regional hospitals across Georgia and South Carolina within a large healthcare system. This
partnership builds upon existing relationships with these hospitals and makes TBC the sole provider for five
more hospitals. TBC was chosen to serve one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services because
of its proven ability to provide a ready and stable blood supply for local hospital partners, even throughout the
pandemic. TBC’s reliability and consistency helps to ensure a robust healthcare system for trauma victims and
the many patients who rely on blood transfusions.

TBC will transition into being the sole blood provider for: Fairview Park Hospital, Doctors Hospital of
Augusta, Memorial Health Meadows, Memorial Satilla Health, and Memorial Health University Medical
Center. TBC has extended its partnership as the sole provider for Trident Regional Medical Center,
Summerville Medical Center, Colleton Medical Center, and Grand Strand Medical Center. Combined, these
hospitals treat hundreds of thousands of patients a year.

TBC, formerly known as Carolina-Georgia Blood Center, has served as a non-profit 501(c)(3) community
blood center for 60 years. The blood center was originally formed to be a blood provider for small hospitals in
Georgia and South Carolina, before it eventually grew to become The Blood Connection. It is now the primary
blood provider for more than 120 hospitals in South Carolina, North Carolina, and parts of Georgia. TBC
currently operates 15 blood donation centers, along with 50 bloodmobile units to collect around 1,000 blood
donations per day. With this new partnership, local blood donors can feel confident knowing their donations
are helping their community.

“The Blood Connection is proud to serve these hospital partners to ensure there are enough blood
products for every patient in need,” said President & CEO of The Blood Connection, Delisa English. “Since
there is no substitute for blood, we are reliant on community blood donors and the many organizations who
also support the local blood supply by sponsoring blood drives. Blood donations truly save lives.”

This announcement comes during a critical time for TBC. Post-COVID, the organization has seen historically
low donor turnout, which has impacted the local blood supply. Despite the local and national blood shortages,
TBC has proven to be a reliable and dedicated partner for local hospitals – committing itself to ensuring blood
products are readily available through volunteer blood donors.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion while only three percent of the eligible
population donates. 4.5 million Americans will be impacted by a blood donation every year. Surgery patients,
accident victims, patients with cancer and newborn babies all rely on the local blood supply. Although TBC is
responsible for keeping the blood supply stable, it cannot replicate blood; it must be donated. TBC urges the
community to donate blood to ensure that hospitals’ needs are uninterrupted. It’s neighbors like these who are
impacted by blood donors.

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