Rescue Squad partners with Blood Connection
The Blood Connection (TBC) and Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad are partnering to put lifesaving blood products in the hands of first responders, helping patients experiencing life-threatening blood loss receive transfusions before arriving at the hospital—because each minute of delay in whole blood transfusion is associated with a 2% increase in the odds of death for trauma patients with severe bleeding.
Through the partnership, TBC will supply blood products for the squad’s prehospital transfusion program, which began on October 14th. The program will allow trained emergency medical personnel to begin transfusions at the scene of an emergency or during transport, bringing an essential resource closer to patients when every minute matters.
Access to blood outside the hospital remains limited nationwide. Estimates show that only about 1% of U.S. emergency medical services agencies had established prehospital blood programs. With this partnership, Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad is a leader in expanding transfusion access for patients.
“When someone is severely bleeding, the availability of blood can help determine whether they make it home to their family,” said Delisa English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “By partnering with Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, we are helping bring that care directly to patients. This is our mission in action: connecting the generosity of blood donors with the people who urgently need their help.”
The partnership also highlights the role community blood donors play in emergency preparedness. A reliable blood supply begins well before an emergency call, with donors who give so first responders and hospital teams have the products they need to care for patients.
Community members can help support that readiness by making blood donation a regular commitment. To find a donation location or schedule an appointment, visit thebloodconnection.org.
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About The Blood Connection
Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to more than 130 hospitals and emergency partners within South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its dedication to disaster preparedness and the community, TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.
About Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad
The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad provides emergency pre-hospital medical and technical rescue services to the Town of Blacksburg and surrounding parts of Montgomery County, VA. Blacksburg Rescue is an award-winning and nationally recognized all-volunteer rescue squad with over 170 active volunteers, providing service at the advanced life support level, including critical care transport. Blacksburg Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. To learn more about us, visit blacksburgrescue.org.
