Wayne Memorial Adds Community Blood Center as Blood Provider

Non-profit, community blood center expands reach to supplement blood products at Wayne Memorial

The Blood Connection (TBC), an independently managed, non-profit community blood center is now a supplemental blood provider for Wayne Memorial Hospital in Jesup, Georgia. The health system joins many others that partner with The Blood Connection to ensure a steady and reliable blood supply for their patients. Partnering with Wayne Memorial will allow TBC to not only strengthen its community ties in Southeast Georgia, but also give residents in Jesup and Wayne County a chance to save lives and make an impact on their neighbors.

TBC has served as a non-profit 501(c)(3) community blood center for decades and is the exclusive blood provider for the entire Upstate of South Carolina and a large portion of North Carolina. TBC has a long-standing relationship with the South Carolina medical community through its affiliation with around 40 other hospitals in the state. In total, the organization supplies blood to around 100 hospitals across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

“If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we must be able to adjust. The Blood Connection has proven its ability to do that and is proud to now serve the Jesup area to assure there are enough blood products to help any patient here,” said President & CEO of the Blood Connection, Delisa English. “But we can only assure that with the help of community blood donors. Please donate blood as frequently as possible. Blood donation saves lives.”

Wayne Memorial’s CEO Joe Ierardi said, “It’s especially important for us to plan ahead as we navigate health care in this pandemic. A greater availability of blood for our patients is advantageous to our community in many ways including having a healthy supply on hand for both emergency surgeries and elective surgeries. We are happy to add The Blood Connection on to our team.”

The need for blood never stops so donors are needed to help save lives now. Throughout 2021, TBC saw a steady decrease in blood donations caused by historically low donor turnout. Although TBC is responsible for keeping the blood supply stable, it cannot replicate blood; it must be donated. Expanding into the Jesup and Wayne community will allow TBC to increase blood donor collection opportunities. TBC’s mission is to ensure all hospital partners have the blood supplies needed for patients at any given time.

TBC urges all eligible donors to donate blood to ensure that hospitals’ needs for blood are uninterrupted.  To find opportunities to donate blood near you, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.

Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to around 100 hospitals within Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its dedication to disaster preparedness and the community, TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.