The Blood Connection (TBC), Savannah's and Vidalia's non-profit community blood center, has been selected as the sole blood provider for Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia and Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, Georgia.

Building upon their existing relationship with the Savannah and Vidalia communities, TBC has been chosen to be the exclusive provider of blood products to Memorial Health University Medical Center and Memorial Health Meadows Hospital because of the organization's proven ability to ensure availability of an adequate and stable blood supply.  This agreement is also part of a larger partnership with HCA Healthcare, making TBC the sole provider for several other hospitals across the region.

Last year, both hospitals collectively helped to save more than 950 lives from blood drives held in Savannah and Vidalia, Georgia.

To increase efforts in recruiting local, volunteer blood donors in these communities, TBC is working on hosting more mobile blood drives in the Savannah and Vidalia areas, in addition to continuing to operate its blood donation center located at 1915 East Victory Drive, Suite 2A, Savannah, Georgia 31404.

"The Blood Connection is proud to serve the Savannah and Vidalia areas, Memorial Health University Medical Center and Memorial Health Meadows Hospital.  This partnership will ensure there are enough lifesaving blood products for every patient in need," said President & CEO of the Blood Connection, Delisa English. "We are thankful to our current blood donors and look forward to connecting with other community members and organizations who are willing to support this partnership and the local blood supply by donating blood and sponsoring blood drives with The Blood Connection."

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion while only three percent of the eligible population donates. Around 4.5 million Americans will be impacted by a blood donation every year. Surgery patients, accident victims, patients with cancer and newborn babies all rely on the local blood supply. 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 are uninterrupted. It's neighbors like these who are impacted by blood donors.

To find a TBC donation center or mobile blood drive near you and donate blood, visit www.thebloodconnection.org/donate. To host a blood drive with TBC, visit www.thebloodconnection.org/host.