FBC's Mission
Facts and FAQs about FBC
From the moment a donor gives blood to the time a patient needs
it, we are dedicated to excellence in everything we do. FBC is a
leader in the blood-banking industry, which is closely regulated by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We continually invest in our
employees and our facilities, and our state-of-the-art laboratories
and back-up systems give us a clear advantage in meeting the
24-hour need for blood throughout Florida.
Donors are the most important people in our business and we are
committed to their safety, comfort and convenience before, during
and after the donation process. Our donors are literally the life
blood of our organization and we could not meet the need of our
communities without them.
FBC also supports advanced scientific research into the
prevention of disease, and is a partner with leading research
institutes on cutting-edge solutions to the most pressing health
problems of our time. Below please find answers to some commonly
asked questions about FBC.
Why should I donate blood with FBC?
When you donate blood with FBC, you are making an immediate
contribution to the health and welfare of your community. After it
is collected, your blood is kept at one our regional laboratories
while a sample is tested and screened at our state-of-the-art
medical facility in Orlando. After testing, the results are shared
electronically with our regional lab, which then delivers your
donation directly to patients in need at hospitals in your
community. Your donation is usually available to patients within 48
hours after it is collected.
Does FBC sell donated blood to hospitals?
Blood is not bought and sold like a commodity or product. We
collect blood from volunteer donors, test it to ensure it meets the
federal government’s standards for safety, and then distribute it
to hospitals where it is transfused into patients. The collection,
processing and distribution of blood constitute a vital service we
provide to the community, and hospitals reimburse us for the
significant costs of providing that service. This business model is
followed by every licensed blood center in the country.
How does FBC ensure a safe and reliable blood supply?
Ensuring the safety and reliability of the community's blood
supply is not only FBC's highest priority, it is one shared by the
federal government. Blood banking is closely regulated by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and we are overseen in much the
same way as the pharmaceutical industry. We follow numerous steps
required by the FDA to make sure your blood is safe before it is
distributed to hospitals. This type of scrutiny, including
unannounced FDA inspections of our facilities, requires us to
operate transparently, safely and ethically.
What happens to my blood after I donate it?
Blood donated with us is kept at one of our regional
distribution hubs while a sample from the unit is tested and
screened at a state-of-the-art laboratory. After testing, the
results are shared electronically with the regional hub, which then
delivers your donation directly to patients in need at hospitals in
your community. Blood is usually available to patients within 48
hours after it is collected. Our regional distribution hubs
maintain back-up blood supplies available for use in your community
around the clock. This operational redundancy allows us to provide
blood even if multiple medical emergencies put pressure on the
blood supply.
Where can I donate blood?
We have branch offices and Big Red Buses in most parts of
Central and South Florida. To find a location near you, just call
us at 1.888.9.DONATE or click here
for an online list of locations.
