SunCoast Blood Bank Receives Grant for X-ray Technology
William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Awards $75,000
Sarasota, FL- The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation awarded SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) $75,000 to help fund the purchase of a blood irradiator. An irradiator is the most vital piece of technology necessary to operate the transfusion services of a blood bank. All patients with a compromised immune system must receive irradiated blood to prevent a rare, but nearly 100 percent fatal complication of transfusion called Transfusion Associated Graft-Versus Host Disease. Newborns, as well as cancer patients and others with compromised immune systems can only be transfused with irradiated blood. In the fall of 2014 SCBB launched a capital campaign to replace its aging technology. With the Selby gift, the goal of $327,000 to fund the irradiator is complete. In addition to private donations, Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation awarded $75,000, The Harry Sudakoff Foundation gave $30,000, SunTrust Foundation donated $3,000 and an anonymous donor provided $20,000 in funding. In addition the United States Source Collection and Threat Reduction Program is covering the cost of $72,000 to remove the retired technology.
About SCBB – SunCoast Blood Bank (SCBB) is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization providing a reliable supply of safe blood products and services to our community for 66 years. SCBB provides 100% of the blood products and services for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, Manatee Memorial Hospital, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Sarasota, Complex Care Hospital of Ridgelake, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, Surgery Center at St. Andrews Venice, North Port Emergency Room, Fawcett Memorial Hospital of Port Charlotte, Englewood Community Hospital, DeSoto Memorial Hospital and Bayflite 2 Emergency Helicopter Service. SCBB is recognized as a distinguished provider with outstanding customer service and the ability to provide rare blood services onsite. For SCBB donor locations and more information, visit www.scbb.org or call 1-866-97-BLOOD.
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