Richmond's blood donation center closing

If you need blood, you often need it fast, and you hope it's close by.

But what happens to local donors and recipients after September, when Richmond's blood donor center closes?

Community Blood Center has announced plans to close two of its four donor centers — the Richmond and West Chester, Ohio, locations — on Sept. 25.

Blood center officials say blood recipients won't notice changes, because blood donated locally already leaves town to be processed at a regional office.

CBC officials also want to reassure current blood donors that they are still very much needed.

In the future, donors can just sign up for mobile blood collections, which might be more convenient for some than driving to the center on Richmond's far east side.

Why are centers closing?

CBC officials say the declining number of blood transfusions at its partner hospitals is the main reason for the operational changes.

CBC fulfills daily blood product needs for 24 partner hospitals in 15 area counties, including Reid Hospital and Health Care Services in Richmond, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio, and Wayne HealthCare in Greenville.

CBC also serves five hospitals in Dayton that draw some local patients, including Dayton VA Medical Center, Miami Valley, Dayton Children's Hospital, Good Samaritan and Grandview Medical Center.

Some seriously injured in local accidents are sent to Miami Valley for trauma care and might receive blood there.

However, CBS said in a press release that the need for blood at the partner hospitals it serves has decreased.

Blood usage has declined by more than 20 percent in the past five years at those 24 hospitals.

That reflects a national trend of more conservative blood use, CBC staff say.

According to the CBC's 2013 annual report detailing its 50th anniversary, advances in medicine during World War II led to an increased need for blood after the war. Returning physicians who saw transfusion therapy as effective on the front lines wanted blood for their patients at home.

New open-heart surgery and improved trauma care led to "explosive growth" for blood use in the 1950s.

However, demand for blood is declining these days, as medical protocols change, said Sher Patrick, CBC's marketing manager.

She said hospitals are not as quick to do transfusions as they were in the past. Surgeries are being performed differently with smaller incisions.

In addition, some hospitals are reusing the patient's own blood.

As a result, CBC says its current blood collection capacity exceeds what is needed to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply.

Donors still needed

However, CBC staff emphasize they do not want to discourage future blood donations, because blood is still needed for accident victims, cancer treatments and various surgical procedures.

Type O negative blood is the universal type that anyone can receive, so it is especially needed for traumas, and the supply can diminish quickly.

Blood is used in the order in which it is donated, because it can be stored for a limited time. Platelets are only good for five days. Red cells have a 42-day life span. Plasma can be frozen for a year.

"We still need blood donors," said Dr. David Smith, Community Blood Center's CEO, in a press release. "There is no replacement for blood and no greater gift to patients in need. The decision to consolidate is difficult for us. But we know it will allow us to focus our efforts on operating more efficiently, and serving the entire community more responsibly."

The press release says, "CBC is a not-for-profit agency which exists for the welfare of the community. CBC must operate conservatively and efficiently to fulfill its public health mission."

CBC will close two of its four blood donation centers, keeping open its Dayton and Springfield locations.

"We don't need to be as big as we once were," Patrick said.

CBC already closed its blood donation center in Middletown, Ohio, within the past two years.

Why go mobile?

Mobile blood drives are more efficient for CBC. Utility and staff costs add up for the Richmond center, especially when no one is there to donate. Every branch has busy days and slow days.

CBC now hosts more than 1,000 mobile blood drives every year.

In comparison, the Richmond center contributed 2.8 percent of the blood collected by CBC in the first half of 2015.

"We have very loyal donors, so we hope to see them out on mobiles," said Melinda Frech, account representative who helps organize mobile drives in local counties. "...We have a lot of donors who like to visit at the center and it's homey, but people love the mobiles, too. I don't think any one's different than the other."

That sense of fellowship was evident at Thursday's CBC mobile drive in Liberty Church of Christ's fellowship room.

"It's like old home week — we see each other every eight weeks," said Jim Miles of Liberty, who has donated 93 times. "It's just something I can do to help."

At least 70 percent of CBC's blood now comes from mobile drives, Patrick said.

"Workplace drives are everybody's favorite," Patrick laughed.

Blood donors have a little paperwork to complete, along with a quick mini-physical to take their temperature, and the actual donation, which takes about 10 minutes. They also get to visit and eat snacks afterward.

"We make it a good time," said Mary Snyder of Liberty, who sported a shiny Uncle Sam hat to add to the fun. She has volunteered with blood drives since 2001.

Union Circuit Court Judge Matt Cox said it was convenient and easy for him to walk from the courthouse to the church. Already having an appointment is even more efficient, he said.

"I think if you have to drive somewhere, you're less likely to give," Cox said.

Cox said he recently was reminded of the importance of giving blood. After his last donation, he received an electronic note letting him know where and when his blood was used.

"One time I needed blood and someone gave, so the least I can do is donate and pay it forward," said Claudia Senour of Liberty. "... All it takes is a little time. It doesn't hurt and it doesn't cost anything. Unless I get to talking, it takes about 15 minutes."

What happens with donations?

Blood collected at the Richmond center as well as area mobile drives, even those at Reid Hospital, is taken to CBC's offices in Dayton, where it is tested and manufactured into blood products.

Larry Price, director of community relations for Reid Hospital & Health Care Services, said the hospital will not feel the impact of the closure of the local donation center because blood products already come straight from the Dayton center.

After processing the blood, CBC fills orders for the hospitals it serves. If a hospital has an unexpected need, such as a major trauma, staff can call and order more from Dayton.

The Dayton blood center is just down the street from Miami Valley, which serves many of the area's trauma patients.

As part of the current cost-cutting effort, CBC is also closing its donor testing laboratory in Dayton on Sept. 30. It has been there since 1964. Starting in October, CBC will contract with an outside laboratory to perform infectious disease testing.

The three employees affected by the closure of the Richmond center will have the option to transfer/apply for positions at CBC's main location in Dayton.

Local history, current giving

Richmond's blood donor center has been at 4450 Garwood Place since June 2006. It moved there after many years at 4821 Old National Road. CBC has had a Richmond branch since 1974.

The current Richmond site has six donor beds and four screening booths, an addition of two each compared to the former center.

So far in 2015, 1,181 donors have been registered at the Richmond branch with 1,020 pints collected.

Those donations came from 601 unique donors (who presented/registered 1,181 times) with an average donation frequency of 1.7.

Richmond has seen the need for blood donors through the years at various incidents, including the 1968 downtown explosions.

Within the first two hours of the explosions, about 100 residents volunteered to give blood, according to a book documenting the history of Reid Hospital called "One Hundred Years: 1905-2005."

What's next?

Until Sept. 25, the Richmond center will continue current operating hours. Those are 2-6:30 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2-6:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.

CBC says it wants to make the transition as convenient as possible for all donors.

"Our donors are important to us and we appreciate everything they do," Patrick said. "We know this is a change for them."

After the Richmond center closes, donors can schedule appointments at CBC mobile blood drives in the Richmond area at GivingBlood.org.

Reid Hospital is among the local sites that has a mobile blood drive every eight weeks.

"Since we have regular blood drives on our campus, it might mean more traffic from the community participating in those drives…and more traffic to other mobile blood drives," said Larry Price of Reid.

Blood drives also are regularly scheduled every eight weeks in Cambridge City, Hagerstown and Liberty. Drives also take place occasionally in towns including Fountain City and Winchester.

A schedule of mobile blood drives open to the public will be available by calling (800) 388-4483.

Who can donate?

Blood donation requirements: Donors must be at least 16 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at Community Blood Center branch and blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good physical health.

The Food and Drug Administration changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions may email canidonate@cbccts.org or call 1(800) 388-4483. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com.

Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card.

Where to donate now

Richmond's Community Blood Center will be open through Sept. 25 at 4450 Garwood Place. Regular hours are 2-6:30 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, 2-6:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday.

Why donate now?

Special incentive: Those 18 and older who register to donate blood through Aug. 28 at Community Blood Center locations and mobile drives have a chance to win a Hawaii vacation for two. Everyone who registers to donate will receive a free "Donor Surf Co." T-shirt.

Maintaining the blood supply can be challenging during summer because donors take vacations and have other schedule changes. CBC especially encourages the continued support of type O whole blood donors and type A/B platelet and plasma donors.

Where to donate in the future

After Sept. 25, donors can schedule appointments at CBC mobile blood drives in the Richmond area at GivingBlood.org or by calling (800) 388-4483.