Blood bank to honor its Founder’s Day on May 30, growth across Northeast Florida
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — May 29, 2024 — LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is celebrating 50 years of saving lives in 2024 and its Founder’s Day on Thursday, May 30. Today, the nonprofit blood bank serves more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Throughout the last 50 years, LifeSouth has remained committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services.
In July 2018, LifeSouth opened its first donor center and Northeast Florida headquarters, located at 7840 Baymeadows Way in Jacksonville. Since then, three more donor centers have opened across the region, including in Julington Creek, Fleming Island and St. Augustine.
LifeSouth announced in January 2024 the opening of a new donor center in St. Augustine, marking the first in St. Johns County and fourth in Northeast Florida. The 1,672 square-foot building is located at 292 State Route 312 and operates weekly from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The expansion into St. Augustine with the opening of a new donor center will allow LifeSouth to better help meet the needs of a rapidly growing population in Saint Johns County.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2024, we could not be more proud to mark this milestone with the opening of our first donor center in St. Augustine,” said Kim Kinsell, CEO of LifeSouth. “We look forward to another 50 years as an organization, in addition to more growth and expansion within the community, giving us the opportunity to further serve the Northeast Florida region.”
Donors in the community are encouraged to come out to the donor centers across Northeast Florida to celebrate on Founder’s Day, Thursday, May 30 with refreshments and an array of prizes.
LifeSouth supplies blood to 70% of Northeast Florida hospital beds through its service to many regional hospitals, including Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Baptist Medical Center Clay County, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. These hospitals rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed. All blood types are asked to donate now to ensure local hospitals have the blood needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.
For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online. Donor centers across Northeast Florida are located at the below addresses, and information on mobile blood drives happening across the region can be found at www.lifesouth.org.
Northeast Florida Headquarters (7840 Baymeadows Way)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fleming Island (1605 County Rd. 220, Suite 160)
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Julington Creek (445 S.R. 13 N., Suite 25)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Augustine (292 State Route 312)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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About LifeSouth:
LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org of donatingblood.org.