The main office of Blood Assurance last week lit up the evening sky with ruby red lights in celebration of 40 years of service. Since 1972, more than 1,000,000 blood components have been given by local donors and processed by the regional blood center.
The need for a community blood center was discussed in the late 1960s and publicly voiced for the first time in a speech to the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society by its president, Dr. David McCallie. At that time, acquiring blood from commercial suppliers was risky due to the danger of post transfusion hepatitis. Chattanooga’s hospitals procured their own blood supplies, but those were easily depleted by an accident or surgical procedure. Smaller hospitals struggled to keep adequate supplies available.
In a joint effort by the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, Blood Assurance was established in 1972 to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need. On June 1, 1972, the first Blood Assurance donor gave blood at Erlanger Medical Center. Donors were able to give blood at four area hospitals: Hutcheson Medical Center, Erlanger Medical Center, Memorial Hospital and Parkridge Medical Center.
In 1977, Blood Assurance moved to its current location at 705 East 4th Street in Chattanooga. There are now 11 donor centers and 10 bloodmobiles throughout 34 counties serving as the only source of blood for more than 50 hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Although the blood center has seen countless medical advancements, there is still no substitute for human blood. At least 400 donations are needed by the hospitals Blood Assurance serves each day to avoid critical blood shortages. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 pounds. To determine your eligibility for donating blood, call 1-800-962-0628.
Source: Blood Assurance