America's Blood Centers

Safety is our top priority: Community blood centers employ multiple layers of protection to safeguard the nation's blood supply. From comprehensive donor education and health questionnaires to rigorous infectious disease testing and collaboration with national surveillance programs, we're committed to protecting those who rely on transfusions. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4fZ9ENP

Many people stop themselves from donating blood because of myths: ❌ “I’m on medication.” ❌ “I’m diabetic.” ❌ “I have tattoos.” ✅ The facts: Most medications don’t disqualify you. Diabetics on well-managed insulin can donate. Tattoos aren’t a barrier. Myths shouldn’t stop you from saving lives. Watch our new short and download our myth fact toolkit for more resources: https://bit.ly/3Y94QOC #DonateBlood #SaveLives #BloodAdvocacy

Across North America, America’s Blood Centers members are redefining what it means to serve their communities — advancing patient care through innovation, research, and collaboration. From Rhode Island Blood Center’s launch of the state’s first prehospital blood program, to San Diego Blood Bank’s 75 years of lifesaving service, to Vitalant’s leadership in advancing cell and gene therapy, and LifeServe Blood Center’s expansion of donor access across the Midwest — these stories show how community blood centers are driving the future of healthcare. Read our latest Monthly Member Spotlight to explore how these programs are saving lives and shaping the next era of blood and biotherapies.

ABC took part in a new discussion exploring a critical question for the biomanufacturing field: how do we ensure the biological materials at the start of every advanced therapy meet the highest standards of safety and consistency? Watch now: https://bit.ly/3W0vqJ1 Community blood centers across the country provide more than lifesaving blood — they supply the foundation for transformative therapies. By collecting, testing, and processing blood and cell products that meet rigorous quality standards, ABC members are powering innovations in cell and gene therapy and ensuring patients nationwide have access to the treatments of tomorrow. 🧬 Blood saves lives. Blood sets standards. Blood builds the future. #CellTherapy #AdvancedTherapies #InnovationInBlood #CommunityHealth

This week, ABC’s Executive Fellows are in residence at Vanderbilt University — exploring leadership, strategy, and innovation shaping the future of community blood centers. From defining strategy and decision-making to understanding AI’s role in healthcare, Fellows are learning directly from top Vanderbilt professors and industry leaders, including: 📈 What is Strategy? with Brian McCain PhD 🤝 Building Trust, Alignment, and Influence Across the Organization with Dr. Ranga Ramanujam 🤖 The Future of Care: AI’s Role in Healthcare Innovation with Professor John Graves and industry experts Matt Brown (HCA Healthcare), and Chase Spurlock (Decode Health) 💬 “When leaders foster trust and exercise influence with integrity, they convert uncertainty into coordinated, collective action.” — Dr. Ranga Ramanujam These immersive sessions are part of our Executive Fellows Program, developing the next generation of leaders across community blood centers nationwide. ➡️ Learn more about the program, hear from current Fellows, and apply now to join next year’s cohort: https://bit.ly/402XMWf #ExecutiveFellowsProgram #LeadershipDevelopment #BloodCenters #HealthcareInnovation

Pre-hospital blood transfusions – what’s holding it back? Every minute counts in emergencies. Early access to blood transfusions can mean the difference between life and death, yet outdated policies and funding barriers are preventing EMS agencies from carrying blood on board. Right now, only 2% of EMS agencies in the U.S. carry blood products, even though research proves that transfusing blood before patients reach the hospital saves lives. Our new video breaks down the issue, why it matters, and how you can help push for change. We’ve made it easy to do something about it: you can write your Members of Congress in under 30 seconds using our simple online tool: https://bit.ly/41bMoXf ➡️ Watch the video, take action, and share this post to spread awareness. #BloodAdvocacy

Across the country, community blood centers are leading the way in expanding prehospital blood programs — putting lifesaving blood directly into the hands of EMS providers and first responders. This isn’t just innovation — it’s transformation. By equipping ambulances and rescue units with whole blood, community blood centers are closing the gap between injury and treatment, saving lives before patients ever reach the hospital. Here are two new powerful examples: 🩸 Virginia: Inova Health Blood Donor Services partnered with Goochland County Fire-Rescue & EMS, Chesterfield Fire & EMS, and Virginia State Police Med-Flight 1 to launch a new EMS Whole Blood Program. Paramedics now carry up to two units of low-titer O+ whole blood in the field — a game changer for trauma care in rural regions. 🔗 Learn more: https://bit.ly/46SSfmT 🏙️ Pennsylvania: Vitalant and UPMC partnered with Pittsburgh EMS to deploy whole blood on rescue trucks — marking a new era of prehospital care. Under Pennsylvania’s new protocol, paramedics can now carry and administer blood in the field, giving patients the best chance at survival before arrival. 🔗 Read the story: https://bit.ly/3VWeXFP 💡 Why it matters: ⏱️ Shortens time to transfusion — every minute counts. 🤝 Strengthens hospital–EMS collaboration. 🩸 Brings lifesaving care to the scene, not just the ER. These programs show the power of local innovation — and the critical role community blood centers play in advancing emergency medicine. #CommunityBloodCenters #PrehospitalBlood #EMS #TraumaCare

Applications are now OPEN for the next cohort of the Executive Fellows Program! Our inaugural fellows described the program as transformative—helping them grow as leaders, build lasting connections, and strengthen their impact on the future of blood donation and healthcare. By joining, you’ll step into a community of forward-thinking leaders making a difference. Will you be part of the next class? 👉 Apply today: https://bit.ly/402XMWf

Thank you to Rep. Shomari Figures for taking to the House floor during #SickleCellAwarenessMonth to call for urgent action. Informed by his visit to ABC member LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, where he saw firsthand the critical role of blood donations in treating sickle cell patients, Rep. Figures highlighted: ✅ The disproportionate impact of sickle cell disease on the Black community ✅ The urgent need for research, treatment, and equitable care ✅ Support for the bipartisan Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act His message: we must invest in better care and lifesaving treatments — and recognize that blood donors are a vital part of the solution. 🩸 Watch his powerful speech below. #BloodDonation #SickleCell #SaveLives

As headlines focus on the government shutdown, we know many are asking what this means for blood centers and the patients who rely on them. We’ve outlined what you need to know in our latest newsletter. #BloodAdvocacy #GovernmentShutdown