Ohio-Based Blood Bank to Close Richmond, Ind. Location

An Ohio-based regional blood center is set to close two of its donor centers, including one in eastern Indiana. The closings represent a trend in the donated blood market as patients receive fewer blood transfusions.

Dayton, Ohio-based Community Blood Center will close both its West Chester, Ohio and Richmond, Ind. donor centers September 25 as it looks to scale back operations. The CBC’s Richmond location has operated since 1974.

Demand for donated blood has slipped dramatically in the past five years as medical research suggests too many blood transfusions may do more harm than good. The American Red Cross estimates blood transfusions in the United States have decreased by a third in the past half-decade.

CBC Marketing Manager Sher Patrick says that, in light of current blood donation market, closing the two donor centers helps keep the blood bank viable. 

“We exist for the welfare of the community, and it’s a move that we have to take in order to stay strong and be able to continue to serve,” she said. 

Patrick also said that the availability of blood to CBC’s partner hospitals will be unaffected by the closings, since all donations are sent to a distribution center in Dayton.

Last year, the Indiana Blood Center announced three major hospitals would not renew partnerships with the blood provider. The hospitals instead opted to contract with the American Red Cross and its larger-scale operation, which provides blood at a smaller cost.