Florida’s Blood Centers (FBC) is a not-for-profit health-care organization that has been serving our community for more than 65 years. Our lifesaving mission of collecting, processing and distributing blood to those in need has a direct and immediate impact on your community’s health and welfare. To fulfill that mission, we employ 1,000 professionals in 21 counties serving more than 70 hospitals and medical facilities throughout the state. We also support advanced scientific study into the prevention and treatment of disease, such as through our partnership with the Burnham Institute for Medical Research (www.burnham.org).

Facts and FAQs about FBC

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From the moment a donor gives blood to the time a patient needs it, we are dedicated to excellence in everything we do. FBC is a leader in the blood-banking industry, which is closely regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We continually invest in our employees and our facilities, and our state-of-the-art laboratories and back-up systems give us a clear advantage in meeting the 24-hour need for blood throughout Florida.

Donors are the most important people in our business and we are committed to their safety, comfort and convenience before, during and after the donation process. Our donors are literally the life blood of our organization and we could not meet the need of our communities without them.

FBC also supports advanced scientific research into the prevention of disease, and is a partner with leading research institutes on cutting-edge solutions to the most pressing health problems of our time. Below please find answers to some commonly asked questions about FBC.

Why should I donate blood with FBC?

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When you donate blood with FBC, you are making an immediate contribution to the health and welfare of your community. After it is collected, your blood is kept at one our regional laboratories while a sample is tested and screened at our state-of-the-art medical facility in Orlando. After testing, the results are shared electronically with our regional lab, which then delivers your donation directly to patients in need at hospitals in your community. Your donation is usually available to patients within 48 hours after it is collected.

Does FBC sell donated blood to hospitals?

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Blood is not bought and sold like a commodity or product. We collect blood from volunteer donors, test it to ensure it meets the federal government’s standards for safety, and then distribute it to hospitals where it is transfused into patients. The collection, processing and distribution of blood constitute a vital service we provide to the community, and hospitals reimburse us for the significant costs of providing that service. This business model is followed by every licensed blood center in the country.

How does FBC ensure a safe and reliable blood supply?

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Ensuring the safety and reliability of the community's blood supply is not only FBC's highest priority, it is one shared by the federal government. Blood banking is closely regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and we are overseen in much the same way as the pharmaceutical industry. We follow numerous steps required by the FDA to make sure your blood is safe before it is distributed to hospitals. This type of scrutiny, including unannounced FDA inspections of our facilities, requires us to operate transparently, safely and ethically.

What happens to my blood after I donate it?

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Blood donated with us is kept at one our regional laboratories while a sample is tested and screened at our state-of-the-art medical facility in Orlando. After testing, the results are shared electronically with the regional lab, which then delivers your donation directly to patients in need at hospitals in your community. Blood is usually available to patients within 48 hours after it is collected. Our regional laboratories maintain back-up blood supplies available for use in your community around the clock. This operational redundancy allows us to provide blood even if multiple medical emergencies put pressure on the blood supply.

Where can I donate blood?

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We have branch offices and Big Red Buses in most parts of Central and South Florida. To find a location near you, just call us at 1.888.9.DONATE or click here for an online list of locations.