MEDIC Asking Local Nonprofits to Help Save Our Summer
Knoxville, Tenn. – MEDIC is teaming up with the United Way of Greater Knoxville to collaborate with local nonprofits through August 31 to promote blood donation, stabilize the blood product inventory, and provide mini-grants for the assistance.
All local nonprofit organizations are eligible to participate. Nonprofits will promote and recruit blood product donors for MEDIC through the summer. Donors will complete a “voting” card that will be counted by MEDIC staff. The nonprofit with the most votes is eligible to win a mini-grant in the amount of $5000 at the end of the summer. MEDIC and UWGK are also offering two mini-grants in June and July worth $1000 each. Donors who choose to donate on a bus can email their vote to kaltman@medicblood.org.
“We see an increase in demand and a decrease in donations through the summer months leaving our inventory unstable and traditionally at critical levels,” said director of communications Kristy Altman. “This collaboration is a great way to give back to our fellow nonprofit partners while stocking the shelves.”
“Our organization is excited for this partnership and the opportunity to support local nonprofits and our community this summer,” says United Way of Greater Knoxville President & CEO Matt Ryerson. “Donating blood is one of the easiest ways for our neighbors to give back, and now they can support their favorite nonprofit while doing it.”
MEDIC is the primary blood product provider for major area hospitals including Blount Memorial Hospital, Covenant Healthcare System, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Tennova, and the University of Tennessee Medical Center along with other regional centers.
As a reminder, the blood on the shelves right now is the blood used in an emergency. It takes at least three days for collected red blood cells to be tested and processed and ready for distribution to hospitals.
Appointments are preferred, but walk-in donors are welcome. Donors can call 865-524-3074 to schedule their appointment or visit medicblood.org/donate to search for a drive closest to them and schedule their appointment. For more information on MEDIC Regional Blood Center, please visit our website at www.medicblood.org or contact Director of Communications Kristy Altman at Kaltman@medicblood.org or by phone at 865-805-2008.
About MEDIC Regional Blood Center
MEDIC was established in 1958 by Carl Nelson, MD, under the sponsorship of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine. MEDIC is a nonprofit organization and offers a Blood Coverage Program covering members’ blood supplier processing fees at any hospital in the country. MEDIC is an accredited member of aabb (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) and America’s Blood Centers (ABC). MEDIC is a member of the Alliance for Community Transfusion Services (ACTS), Blood Centers of America (BCA), and the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC). The center adheres to all blood product safety regulations established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is licensed by the FDA and the State of Tennessee. MEDIC is an independent blood center and is not affiliated with the American Red Cross. Today, MEDIC Regional Blood Center is the provider of blood and blood-related products for the 24 area hospitals in 22 counties in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky.
