Expanded Wesley Chapel Blood Donor Center Unveiled

After several months of taking donations in a mobile unit, Florida Blood Services recently reopened its Wesley Chapel Donor Center, helping the agency better serve the community and donors.

"Wesley Chapel is fortunate to have a world-class provider of blood and blood services here in our neighborhood," said Elayne Bassinger, Wesley Chapel's honorary mayor, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. "It's comforting to have them here."

The Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce helped officials from Florida Blood Services mark the occasion.

The center closed in August for an expansion project that doubled its size from 1,200 square feet to 2,400. This enabled the center to up its bed count from six to 10.

Prior to the expansion, Janice Oliver, donor room charge, said the project was greatly needed. During promotions or supply shortages, she said the center's beds quickly filled up. In some cases, the wait to donate would climb to about 50 minutes.

Numbers also bore out the need for expansion, said Daniel Eberts, spokesman for Florida Blood Services. The Wesley Chapel location has seen a 10 percent rise in donations since August 2006, and support is climbing.

"We are growing," Eberts said. "We know this whole area is growing, which we hope will translate into more donations. As our community continues to grow, the blood needs will continue, too."

Don Doddridge, the organization's chief executive officer and president, said the expansion shows the support for the nonprofit.

"I think it's probably everybody's dream" to have the need to expand a center, he said. "I'm grateful for how the community has supported us."

For Wesley Chapel resident Tom Burt, giving blood whenever he is able is a duty.

"I would hate to think there could be a human being that would need blood and can't get it," he said, while making a donation during the ribbon-cutting. "What a simple and easy way to give back to mankind."

For information about Florida Blood Services, go to www.fbsdonor.org or call the Wesley Chapel Donor Center at (813) 929-6500.

HOURS

Florida Blood Services' Wesley Chapel Donor Center, 5319 Village Drive, recently reopened.

•Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

•Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

•Saturday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

•Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.