Blood Systems is now Vitalant; New Name, Unified Brand for 127 Nationwide Donation Centers

Enhanced vision provides cohesive impact in U.S. transfusion medicine

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Sep 24, 2018, 04:30 ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Blood Systems announced today that its 10 blood center brands, research institute and specialty laboratory will unite as one cohesive brand under the new name Vitalant. As one of the nation's oldest and largest comprehensive transfusion medicine organizations serving communities across some 40 states, Vitalant's 127 nationwide donation centers and 30,000 mobile blood drives welcome more than 780,000 volunteer blood donors who supply 1.8 million donations per year.

"Our organization has grown to encompass blood donation centers and specialty services from coast to coast. As transfusion medicine leaders, we embrace this opportunity to combine our innovative capabilities," said Vitalant President and CEO Dave Green. "We invite the public to join us in generating more vital donations to transform even more lives in communities across the United States."

Unifying the combined capabilities and national presence of the organization's many brands, Vitalant brings together the benefits of a cohesive centralized support structure and enhanced research opportunities to advance transfusion care and reach people most in need. It also reflects a commitment to donors to ensure a consistent and seamless experience across all centers and blood drives.

The 10 donation center brands that come together collectively under the name Vitalant are: Blood Centers of the Pacific, BloodSource, Bonfils Blood Center, Central Blood Bank, Community Blood Services, Inland Northwest Blood Center, Lifeblood, LifeShare, LifeSource and United Blood Services, in addition to the umbrella organization Blood Systems, Blood Systems Laboratories and Blood Systems Research Institute. Vitalant's national headquarters is in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Vitalant supports nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care entities throughout the United States, impacting millions of lives. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers hospital partners transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more.

There is a constant need for blood – in fact, nearly 5,000 blood donations are needed each day to meet the needs of people throughout the country. Statistics show that nearly 60 percent of blood donations come from people over 40, and nearly 45 percent come from people older than 50. Vitalant looks to inspire the next generation of blood donors, while building lasting relationships with people of all ages.

"Vitalant's purpose is to help people realize their life-transforming potential," said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Ron Waeckerlin. "A name change does not change our commitment to the communities we serve or the people who count on us. In fact, our national presence allows us to effectively tap into our network to ensure donations reach the people who need it most."

The name Vitalant ("Vye-TAL-ent") embodies something vital and full of life, and is directly connected to the organization's vision to create life-transforming outcomes for communities across the U.S. and to inspire awe for the donors, patients, hospital partners and employees it serves. The organization has a new logo and website: vitalant.org, which clearly represents the new brand.

Vitalant will maintain the same community-based staff in every donation center, and donors will experience the personal, professional and comfortable level of service they have come to trust and expect.

Vitalant will host a blood drive in Las Vegas Oct. 1, 2018, the anniversary of the tragic music festival shooting last year. The blood drive will be held in tribute to those affected. It will serve as an opportunity to honor those who donated blood in record numbers in response to the tragedy, as well as those who continue to donate on a regular basis. Anyone can honor this day with a blood donation at a conveniently-located Vitalant donation center or blood drive.

About Vitalant
Vitalant—one of the nation's oldest and largest non-profit community blood service providers—supplies comprehensive transfusion medicine services for nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care partners for patients in need across 40 states. Vitalant inspires local communities to serve the needs of others and transform lives through the selfless act of donating blood. It operates a world-renowned transfusion medicine research institute, owns a biological products distribution service and co-owns a high-volume donor testing laboratory joint venture.

Contact: Julie Scott
[email protected]
720-475-6643

SOURCE Vitalant