After years of operating its own blood service for patients at AnMed Health and elsewhere, the AnMed Health Blood Donor Center will discontinue operations December 14, 2018. AnMed Health has engaged The Blood Connection to meet patients' needs for blood products going forward.

The support of our community directly impacts the health care that we can provide. Hosting blood drives and donating blood with The Blood Connection is vital to fuel the needs of patients in our community. The Blood Connection will open a temporary donor center in Anderson Mall beginning December 15, 2018 and will hold blood drives throughout the area. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.

“We have a longstanding commitment to our community and to the patients we serve," said Penny Tisdale, MHSA, MT (ASCP), AnMed Health laboratory administrative director. "Donors and patients should share our confidence that The Blood Connection will continue to supply much-needed blood services in our community. We look forward to working together for our patients to receive safe, high-quality, and cost-effective blood supplies.”

Founded in 1962, The Blood Connection is the largest independently managed, nonprofit community blood center in the region. The Blood Connection adheres to the same high-quality standards as AnMed Health Blood Services and is regulated by U.S. Food and Drug Administration and American Association of Blood Banks. They currently manage blood products and services for more than 40 hospitals across the upstate of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Northeastern Georgia. The Blood Connection collects blood from donors through bloodmobiles, portable field units, and eight community donation centers.

“We are excited to partner with AnMed Health to continue the strong legacy of blood services in this community,” said Delisa English, president, and CEO of The Blood Connection. “AnMed Health and The Blood Connection have similar missions, and we believe that this partnership will be a tremendous, long-term asset for AnMed Health patients and the community.”