A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday in Stevens Point as the Community Blood Center began a new relationship with Ascension St. Michael's Hospital in Stevens Point.
The Appleton-based non-profit supplies blood to many hospitals in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. They have a donor center on Highway 51 in Arbor Vitae-Woodruff. The also have blood collections in Rhinelander on Wednesdays.
Vice President of Donor Services Kristine Belanger says the move expands the hospitals they serve...
"..We were pleased last fall when Ascension Wisconsin offered us the opportunity to expand our services to Ascension St. Michael's in Stevens Point and Ascension St. Clare's in Weston...."
Last week's incredibly cold weather put a further stress on blood collections during a time when it traditionally is a tough time to collect blood...
"..It is definitely a critical need and we're seeing it across the country. The Polar Vortex is what they're calling it. We've been pretty hard by the severe weather..."
Belanger says people tend to hunker down in the winter months, so supplies tend to drop.
Belanger says if you want more information on The Community Blood Cneter or to learn how to donate blood or plasma, go to their webpage communityblood.org or call 800-280-4102.
