By Taylor J. Hale
Reporter

STEVENS POINT — Ascension St. Michael’s and the Community Blood Center (CBC) celebrated their new relationship on Feb. 1, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Ascension.

The new alliance will allow Ascension access to CBC blood products, giving Stevens Point patients a dependable
blood supply.

John Hagins of the CBC cutting the ribbon at the ceremony. (Taylor Hale Photo)

“For us, the relationship is all about being able to provide blood to the hospital from a local source,” said John Hagins, CEO of the CBC. “We are able to collect locally and provide blood products locally so people can have everything they need when they need it.”

The relationship between the two organizations started in the fall of 2018. A blood drive donation event was held in tandem with the ceremony, giving attendees a chance to assist their neighbors directly.

“This is all about supporting the community,” Hagins said. “There is no better way to do that than by supporting local health care in the community by getting out and donating blood.”

CBC, an Appleton based non-profit focused on supplying blood and plasma to Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, hosts up to 100 mobile blood drive events each year. Last year alone the group facilitated more than 50,000 blood donations.

Mayor Mike Wiza at the ceremony. (Taylor Hale Photo)

Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza attended the ribbon cutting. He sees the new relationship as a vital step for the city.

“Everything that is donated here at Ascension and the Community Blood Center is going to stay local,” Wiza said. “So Ascension will have all of the blood they need, from people that are here. Having the need filled here locally is really significant. You are literally helping out your neighbors.”

CBC also has walk-in blood donation centers in Appleton, Oshkosh, Little Chute and Woodruff.

To donate blood or to learn more about the CBC visit https://www.communityblood.org or call 800-280-4102.