In our monthly spotlight, we’re highlighting some of the remarkable innovations and community impacts of America’s Blood Centers members across North America. These developments show the crucial importance of community blood centers and their role as hubs of innovation, research, and community engagement in today’s healthcare landscape:
Héma-Québec has opened a new plasma-specific donation center in Drummondville, marking a strategic move towards plasma self-sufficiency. This initiative highlights the growing global demand for plasma and the need for local solutions. As Nathalie Fagnan, Héma-Québec’s President and CEO, states, this is “a step in the right direction” towards reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers. This is Héma-Québec’s 12th such center.
New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe) has made a significant breakthrough in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) research. Their study, published in Blood, uncovers critical mechanisms that could transform approaches to SCD treatment. This research, funded through National Institutes of Health grants awarded to NYBCe researchers by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, underscores the vital role that blood centers play in advancing medical care and improving patient outcomes.
Our Blood Institute (OBI) has partnered with Velico Inc. to explore the integration of spray-dried plasma production. This collaboration, part of Velico’s Blood Center Education Program (BCEP), could revolutionize emergency medical response. Dr. John Armitage, OBI’s President and CEO, emphasizes the potential of this technology to “transform emergency medical response for EMS agencies, the military and others who save lives in the field.” The implications of this innovation are far-reaching, including enhanced preparedness for mass casualty events, improved survival rates in remote or conflict areas, and the potential for long-term storage and easy transportation of plasma.
San Diego Blood Bank’s collaboration with SeaWorld San Diego demonstrates the power of creative partnerships in driving blood donations. Their joint initiative resulted in over 11,000 blood donors, including 2,000 first-time donors, potentially saving 34,000 lives. This successful model of community engagement showcases how unique partnerships can significantly boost blood donation rates and save lives. San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer’s office recently honored San Diego Blood Bank for its contributions to this partnership with a special proclamation.
SunCoast Blood Centers’ partnership with Sarasota County Fire Department represents a significant advancement in getting more blood on ambulances. By enabling more prehospital blood transfusions, this program could dramatically improve survival rates for patients with severe bleeding or traumatic injuries. Scott Bush, CEO of SunCoast Blood Centers, notes that these transfusions have been “instrumental in cardiac patients making full recoveries and kept hemorrhaging patients from bleeding out.” ABC members supplied over 32,000 blood and blood products to an emergency management system in support of their prehospital transfusion program, and we are working to expand the use of blood transfusions on ambulances.
Community blood centers collect more than half of the U.S. and 25% of the Canadian blood supply, serving more than 150 million people and 3,500 hospitals and healthcare facilities. They operate more than 700 donor facilities in more than 1,100 communities, investing in the health of their local communities through research, disease management programs, and clinical expertise.To learn more, visit AmericasBlood.org. Have a story to share in our next monthly roundup? Email ContactUs@AmericasBlood.org.