Memorial Health has added The Blood Connection (TBC), an independently managed, non-profit community blood center as a blood provider for our patients. TBC has a long-standing relationship with the Georgia medical community through its affiliation with several other hospitals in the state.

TBC and Memorial Health are hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, December 13 from 8:00AM – 6:00PM at Memorial Health University Medical Center, Building 300 (Medical Education Auditorium). To make an appointment to donate blood at this drive, click here.

"The need for blood tends to increase during the holidays as there are usually more accidents. At the same time, blood donations are usually down at this time of year. That's why it is so important for us to give blood during this important time,” states Dr. Mickey Ott, Memorial Health trauma surgeon. “As a Level 1 trauma center, it is critical for us to have an adequate supply of blood so we can provide lifesaving care for those who need it."

Although TBC is responsible for keeping the blood supply stable, it cannot replicate blood; it must be donated. TBC urges the community to donate blood to ensure that hospitals’ needs for blood are uninterrupted. “The Blood Connection has proven its ability to consistently provide for our hospital partners, even through a pandemic, and is proud to now serve the Savannah area to ensure there are enough blood products for every patient in need," said President & CEO of the Blood Connection, Delisa English. "But we are completely reliant on community blood donors and are seeking organizations to host blood drives as well as for donors to come out to donate at our center. Blood donation saves lives.”

TBC, formerly known as Carolina-Georgia Blood Center, has served as a non-profit 501(c)(3) community blood center for 60 years. Its inception is closely tied to Georgia; the blood center was originally formed to help small hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina, before it eventually grew to become The Blood Connection. It is now the primary blood provider for more than 100 hospitals in South Carolina, North Carolina, and parts of Georgia.