Generous Rhode Islanders Supply Blood For Neighboring States Through RI Blood Center

While The American Red Cross recently went on appeal for blood donors because of what it calls a “critical shortage” nationwide, blood supplies in Rhode Island remain satisfactory.

The Rhode Island Blood Center supplies 100 percent of blood to hospitals in Rhode Island and their patients.

According to a press release from the Rhode Island Blood Center, summers are always a challenging time for blood collection with schools closed, and individual donors in a vacation mindset. The Rhode Island Blood Center, however, is diligent in its planning and anticipates periods when blood collection may be more challenging. Rhode Island’s 55,000 blood donors are also very responsive throughout the year, assuring that the Ocean State rarely faces a shortage situation.

“We are able to help the Red Cross by sending blood to Massachusetts and Connecticut, where the Red Cross provides service,” said Lawrence Smith, Chief Executive Office of the Rhode Island Blood Center. “We continue to encourage people to make and keep appointments to donate blood at Rhode Island Blood Center blood drives or donor centers, helping to assure that we maintain an adequate and safe blood supply for our community.”

The Rhode Island Blood Center is an independent non-profit blood collection agency, not affiliated with the Red Cross. It maintains donor centers in Providence, Woonsocket, Warwick, Narragansett and Middletown, and holds up to 16 blood drives a day.

To find a blood drive or donor center near you, visit the Blood Center’s web site, www.ribc.org.