APPLETON, Wis. — Florida’s primary blood provider is struggling with blood collection due to widespread flooding and power outages following Hurricane Debby.

The Community Blood Center (CBC) in Appleton is helping those impacted.

What You Need To Know

  • High winds and heavy rain from Hurricane Debby is affecting blood collection from Florida's primary blood provider, OneBlood

  • The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) was founded in 2021 to help blood providers meet immediate transfusion needs when faced with a large-scale emergency
  • Through BERC, participating blood centers from across the United States, like the Community Blood Center in Appleton, have joined forces to prepare for mass transfusion disasters, ensuring their ability to meet emerging needs without delay

Joe Bast said giving back is in his blood. The retired nonprofit director said he regularly donates blood because he received the gift of life and wants to give back.

“So, I had major surgery in 2018 as well, and so I’m sure I benefited from people who donated blood. This is a way to maybe complete the circle,” Bast said.

With a few ball compresses and a spare hour, Bast will help save lives across the U.S. Bast said that’s good to know as Florida recovers from the deadly storm. 

“That’s a good feeling, yeah. I would hope somebody benefits from this,” Bast said.

Hurricane Debby left behind flooding and power outages, putting a strain on Florida’s primary blood collector, One Blood.

That’s why the Community Blood Center is stepping in to help. It’s part of Blood Emergency Readiness Corps or BERC.  

Alexandra Capper with Community Blood Center’s donor recruitment said this group helps blood providers like One Blood meet immediate transfusion needs when faced with a large-scale emergency.

“It’s super important when there’s a natural disaster, for all of us to kick in for it, the people down in Florida, with businesses being out with power outages. So really, as part of this team, we can step up and we can support not only our local community, which we’re committed to always supporting, but also we’re able to help those down south that maybe can’t help themselves,” Capper said.

During emergencies and disasters, blood donations are critical. But Capper said blood donation is important all the time.

“Blood donation supports scheduled surgeries, but when you have the anomaly of a major storm coming in, there’s an increased amount of traumas or injuries happening where even more blood is needed to keep everyone safe. It’s the one thing that we can’t create. It can’t be created in a lab. It can’t be reproduced. Blood that goes into a patient has to be donated by a volunteer blood donor,” Capper said.

Bast said it’s comforting to know a part of him can help those in need in Florida. He said he hopes his act of kindness inspires others in the Badger State to donate blood.

“There’s a lot of good people who are very charitable, so it’s nice to encourage that and recognize that,” Bast said.

CBC is also giving donors a chance to win a $50 VISA gift card when they donate at any mobile or donor center from Aug. 5-11 for its “High Five for Saving Lives” promotion. It aims to meet the increased need during the summer for blood at hospitals in the community.

Related Stories