Major Construction at the Blood Bank...

The Community Blood Bank is growing again, this time the facility at 26th and Peach is expanding. Local contractors; Considine Biebel and Company, is handling the two floor addition at the rear of the blood bank which is being done primarily to expand the laboratory to accommodate a new testing technology. The four month project, expected to be completed by August will cost over $300,000. This construction will allow the CBB to do all blood testing locally, ending the need to ship certain testing to Florida as is done now. This will reduce the time it takes from when a person donates blood to when the blood gets to the hospital by half and will improve patient safety at area hospitals.

The new technologies are called the Abbott PRISM, which will replace the current testing platform in place at the CBB, and the very sensitive Nucleic Acid Testing equipment (NAT) for HIV, HCV, and West Nile Virus are currently being sent to Florida.

41st Annual Donor Dinner...

Melissa Schweitzer speaking at the Donor Dinner

The Community Blood Bank held its 41st annual Donor Dinner at the Bel Aire in Erie Thursday, April 17th at 7pm. This year’s dinner theme was “Taking a Closer Look”. The guest speaker, Melissa Schweitzer, is a mother who takes a medicine called I.V.I.G. that is made from blood plasma. Last year the CBB provided over 3,500 Liters of plasma to make this miracle drug.

Roman Klocker receiving his 95 gallon award plaque, also picture (from the left) Jacky Kocz - Executive Director , Bernie Myers- Head of Donor Operations and Natalie Dwyer-Haller- President of the CBB Board.

The CBB set a record with a 260+ person crowd. The annual dinner is held to recognize those people who give so selflessly to the community by giving blood. Those who were honored have all met a Milestone in blood donations: 5,10,15, 20 and so on up to 95 gallons were honored. Donor Chair People (those who coordinate blood drives at their place of business or other community location) were also recognized for their efforts to keep the local blood supply safe.

In 2007, over 10,000 local patients in Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York received blood and blood products from the generous donors to the Community Blood Bank.

Give To Get Away promotion winner...

Congratulations to...
Karen Pease from Wellsville NY

Karen is tentatively planning two trips with her prize, one to visit Yankee stadium in New York City before it is replaced in 2009 and also to Albuquerque New Mexico for a balloon rally...more

Wal-Mart employees donate...

The West-side Wal-Mart recently donated $885 to the Community Blood Bank through "Volunteerism Matters," a grant that recognizes volunteerism throughout the company. Wal-Mart employees donated at five blood drives hosted by the store during 2007. The Community Blood Bank will use the money on a new ultra-crit machine, which tests iron levels in donors. From left are Eric Hosack, Wal-Mart assistant manager; Deanna Renaud, mobile drive coordinator at the Community Blood Bank; and Alice Wuenschel, blood donor chairperson for
Wal-Mart. Click here for a picture...

Husband and wife duo saves lives together!

Husband and wife team Mary and Mike Schleicher both donate platelets on Friday January 11th 2008 at the Community Blood Bank. They have been happily married for 25 years...more