Nonprofit Spotlight: Florida Blood Services

Florida Blood Services supplies blood to members of the Tampa Bay community in need. Its Northdale location is 15427 N. Dale Mabry Highway.

In this week's nonprofit spotlight, Patch talked to Daniel J. Eberts, corporate communications manager for Florida Blood Services, about how the organization began and how the community can get involved.

Patch: What is the purpose or mission of the organization?

Eberts: Florida Blood Services is Tampa Bay’s not-for-profit community-based blood center serving the blood needs of patients at 44 hospitals in this region. Since Tampa Bay is the West Coast medical hub and one out of every seven patients who enter a hospital need blood transfusions, almost 1,000 volunteer donations are needed daily.  There are no artificial substitutes. 

Patch: Who founded FBS and when?

Eberts: Florida Blood Services was founded in 1994 by the merger of Southwest Florida Blood Bank, Hunter Blood Center and Community Regional Blood Center. Since then, other hospital blood banks and Community Blood Centers in other counties have merged with us as well. Together, we provide a safe and adequate blood supply at the lowest possible cost.

Patch: What are some activities that the organization has been involved in in Tampa Bay?  Are those primary fundraisers for the nonprofit? 

Eberts: Florida Blood Services staffs 17 donor center locations in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties, and runs a fleet of 40 bloodmobiles daily to the sites of blood drive sponsors. We rely on the generosity of our volunteer donors and the businesses, schools, churches and other civic minded organizations who host us to make sure that blood is available for all of us and our loved ones when it is needed most.   As we approach the 10th Anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, we are reminded that when disaster strikes, man made or natural, the blood that is on the shelf is what gives victims a fighting chance.

Patch: Why is the organization important for communities such as Carrollwood and Northdale?

Eberts: Most of us will need to receive blood transfusions in our lifetimes, yet less than 10 percent of the eligible population will donate blood.  It is vital that those who can give blood “Pay it Forward.”   When accidents happen, emergency surgeries occur, fires flame, cancer strikes or diseases develop blood must be on the shelf as part of the First Response Team.

Patch: How can the community get involved if they want to donate or volunteer?

Eberts: Prospective donors can call 1-800-68-BLOOD (25663) or visit www.fbsdonor.org to find convenient donation locations.  Appointments are appreciated, and walk-ins welcomed.  Every donor receives a free gift and a wellness checkup of blood pressure, pulse, temperature and iron count, including a cholesterol screening, plus the chance to save lives.