Ten local hospitals plan to open a new blood center by early next year.
The plan, announced Tuesday, sets the stage for an unusual new battle for
blood donations in the Charlotte area.
The hospitals say they are reacting to price increases by the American
Red Cross, the predominant blood collector and supplier in the area.
Hospitals in other North Carolina communities have grumbled, too, but
Charlotte hospitals are the first to move forward with concrete plans.
The participating hospitals will provide loan guarantees to cover the
more than $3 million in start-up costs for the center, which will operates
as an independent, non-profit organization.
But participating, together, the hospitals expect to see savings of $3
million once the center is up and running.
Participating hospitals include Gaston Memorial Hospital, NorthEast
Medical Center, Piedmont Medical Center, Carolinas Medical Center,
Carolinas Medical Center -- Mercy, Carolinas Medical Center -- Pineville,
Carolinas Medical Center -- University, Presbyterian Hospital,
Presbyterian Hospital Matthews and Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital.
A Red Cross spokeswoman said her organization is in favor of any
efforts to increase blood donations in the area, but would be concerned if
it results in a competition between blood collection agencies that might
leave donors confused.
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