PLATTSBURGH — The Adirondack Blood Center is set to close Friday after 70 years in service.
University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital confirmed the closure Wednesday.
The American Red Cross will take over as the hospital’s blood supplier from now on.
“Like almost 40% of hospitals in the country, we’ll get our blood and blood products from the American Red Cross,” Chris Blake, program manager, media relations and communications and engagement strategies for CVPH, said.
“Our blood bank remains open and continues to test, screen, store and distribute blood and blood products for patients at Alice Hyde Medical Center, Elizabethtown Community Hospital and CVPH.”
The facility’s possible closure, announced by CVPH last month, was promptly criticized by employees and donors dissatisfied with the decision.
As previously reported by the Press-Republican, a large rally protesting the closure was held on the CVPH lawn June 30.
“We have developed relationships with our donors that has allowed us to know who to call when we do have a situation where we are running low on a blood type,” Nancy Roberts, a resident nurse working in the blood center, said during the rally.
“We can call people, and they come right in because they know us and they know that the blood is going to be used locally and that it’s going to help their neighbors.”
Michelle LeBeau, president of UVM – Alice Hyde in Malone and CVPH, said the rally was a testament to the importance of ensuring continued access to lifesaving blood services in our community.
“Our commitment to providing safe, reliable blood services for our patients will continue by working with the American Red Cross,” LeBeau said in a statement last week.
“This collaboration helps ensure a dependable blood supply, preserves access to care for our community, allows us to focus our resources on the essential services our patients rely on and supports the hospital’s long-term financial sustainability.”
LeBeau said the economic realities facing hospitals, especially rural ones like CVPH, have challenged them to redefine how care is provided.
“Key to our success is ensuring that our most valuable resources — our people — are in positions where they can make the greatest difference for patients,” she said.
“When services are already available through trusted community partners, duplicating them diverts valuable expertise away from direct patient care where it is needed most.
“Each member of the Donor Center team who chose to stay with our organization has found a position as part of the care team.”