Mercy Transitions Blood-donor Program to Red Cross

SPRINGFIELD — Mercy Medical Center announced it is transitioning its blood-donor program to the American Red Cross, effective July 6.

“This transition will provide Mercy Medical Center with access to the Red Cross national inventory system, making blood and blood products more readily available for our patients,” said Dr. Krystyna Sikorska, medical director of the Blood Donor Program at Mercy Medical Center. “We are grateful to the many blood donors who have supported our efforts over the years, and we strongly encourage them to continue donating blood at Red Cross-sponsored blood drives throughout the community.”

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with O negative, A negative, and B negative blood. With a shelf life of 42 days, red blood cells must be constantly replenished to maintain an adequate supply for patients.

“The Red Cross is one of the best-known humanitarian organizations in the world that provides services down the street and across the country. Part of our mission is to ensure that blood is available for anyone who needs it, regardless of where they live,” said Jeff Meyer, CEO of American Red Cross Massachusetts and Connecticut Blood Services Region. “We look forward to our new relationship with Mercy Medical Center and invite its donors and sponsors to join our blood-donation program and continue to support the community blood supply through the Red Cross.”

The Red Cross is the largest single supplier of blood and blood products in the U.S., collecting and processing approximately 40{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of the blood supply and distributing it to about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. The Red Cross also plays a leading role in protecting the safety of donors and patients and increasing the availability of blood across the country.

As part of the transition, the donor room located at Mercy Medical Center will also be closing; however, the Red Cross hosts several blood drives in Greater Springfield every week. To learn more about donating blood and to schedule an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org, or call (800) 733-2767.