Press Releases

OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS O- AND A- BLOOD
Volunteer Blood Donors Having Blood Types of O- and A- Needed Immediately

[ORLANDO, FL – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2005]
Supplies of O- and A- blood types have fallen critically low. Blood supplies must be replenished immediately to avert any shortages at local hospitals. Due to higher usages at local medical facilities and lower than expected donor participation, the “CRITICAL APPEAL” for volunteer blood donors issued last week has been reissued and will remain in effect until supplies are replenished.

“Reserve inventories have fallen to levels not seen since the Christmas holidays – and there is an immediate need for donors having blood types of O- and A-. Unless supplies are replenished immediately, hospitals in our area could quickly face shortages,” states Tim Toothman, Donor Development Coordinator for Florida’s Blood Centers Lake County Division. “The fact is, blood centers throughout our region… and nationally as well— are facing the same potential shortages. We can normally seek help from our counter-parts in other locations, but because the need is so wide spread; the only way to prevent shortages here in our community is by getting more donors involved! Unfortunately, supplies have been so low for so long— our appeals have not garnered normal response. Simply put— without blood donors…hospitals can’t operate!”

(Lake Park, Fla.) – In a move that will help protect future blood supplies for South Florida hospitals, the not-for-profit Florida’s Blood Centers (FBC), one of the nation’s largest independent blood banks and the largest blood bank in Florida, closed today on its purchase of the assets of Lake Park-based South Florida Blood Banks (SFBB).

“Twenty Florida hospitals are depending on us for their blood supply,” announced FBC President and CEO Anne K. Chinoda.  “This purchase allows Florida’s Blood Centers to further our mission to provide a safe and adequate blood supply to the communities we serve.  We look forward to serving and being a part of the many diverse communities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, Glades and Hendry Counties.”

FBC, which now employs 214 people in the South Florida area, will continue operations at the Lake Park and Miramar facilities, 12 branch collection sites, and 18 mobile units. The organization currently collects about 100,000 pints of blood a year and plans to grow its collection efforts throughout its eight-county region.  All blood collected by FBC in South Florida will remain in the community.

Experienced in handling three other FBC blood bank mergers and acquisitions in Florida, Chinoda also announced that Trish Lowry, a 20-year veteran with SFBB, will serve as director of operations for South Florida and Dr. Richard R. Gammon, who has been with the organization since 1999, will continue as associate medical director.  She explained that former SFBB CEO John Flynn has accepted a noncompete exit arrangement that is commensurate with industry standards and allows FBC to transition smoothly into the South Florida market.

Founded in Orlando in 1942, Florida’s Blood Centers, Inc., currently covers a 21-county region, extending from Ocala in the north to Fort Myers and Miami in the south.  The organization collects more than 350,000 units of blood and blood products annually and provides these products to more than 70 hospitals and healthcare facilities.

The first blood donations for the new Florida Blood Center’s in South Florida will be accepted starting Tuesday, February 1 at 7:30 a.m.