Allina Health partners with Memorial Blood Centers

MINNESOTA – Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) is now the exclusive blood provider for Allina Health’s 12 hospital campuses across Minnesota and western Wisconsin, making MBC the largest blood supplier in Minnesota. This milestone ensures that trauma victims, cancer patients, and those undergoing surgery receive the lifesaving blood transfusions they depend on—but it also increases the need for local blood donors.

 

For more than 75 years, MBC has been dedicated to securing a stable, local blood supply to serve hospitals across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Allina Health serves more than one million hospital visits and more than 380,000 emergency department visits each year.  With MBC now providing more blood to Minnesota hospitals than any other blood provider in the state, the need for donors has never been greater. With this expanded role, the organization is calling on the community to help ensure that every patient who needs blood receives it—without delay. 

“We are honored to expand our partnership with Allina Health and serve even more patients across Minnesota and Wisconsin,” said Kathy Geist, Vice President at MBC. “We’re calling on blood donors—new and returning—to help us meet this growing need. Every donation makes a direct impact on local patients, and together, we can ensure that everyone who needs blood receives it.”

 “We witness the life-saving impact of blood donation in action on a daily basis in our hospitals,” said Ann Byre, Chief Pharmacy and Laboratory Officer. “As we announce this new partnership, we want to remind people that by signing up to give blood they are helping their community and our expert care team members deliver the best care possible.”

MBC is calling on new and returning donors to make an appointment to donate and to become All Seasons Lifesavers, donating at least once per season in 2025. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted several blood donor eligibility restrictions. To view current eligibility guidelines or to make an appointment to donate, visit mbc.org.

Allina Health is a nonprofit health care system serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin, dedicated to preventing and treating illness and improving the health of individuals, families, and communities. Through a network of more than 90 clinics, 12 hospital campuses, 13 retail pharmacies, specialty care centers, home care, and emergency medical transportation, Allina Health provides high-quality care from birth through end-of-life.  

At the forefront of Allina Health’s mission are its Institutes, which offer nationally recognized experts and advanced care in key specialties:  

• Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute – A leader in cardiovascular innovation, research, and care delivery through clinical trials, publications, and training 4,000+ providers annually, it is consistently rated ‘High Performing’ by U.S. News & World Report.  
• Allina Health Cancer Institute – Providing comprehensive, personalized and innovative oncology care across the full cancer journey, delivered at ten locations – including its three largest hospitals which U.S. News & World Report consistently rates “High Performing” in multiple oncology specialties.  
• Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute – Offering advanced neurological and spine care, including two nationally accredited stroke centers, innovative focused ultrasound treatment for essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson's and a chronic pain rehabilitation program – one of only two in Minnesota.  

Together, these Institutes exemplify Allina Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and compassionate care. Learn more at allinahealth.org and join us on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Founded in 1948, Memorial Blood Centers have served Minnesota and Wisconsin for more than 75 years, delivering more than 125,000 lifesaving blood products annually to 50+ hospitals, EMS and healthcare partners. MBC is part of New York Blood Center Enterprises (NYBCe), which spans 17+ states and delivers one million blood products to 400+ U.S. hospitals annually. NYBCe additionally delivers cellular therapies, specialty pharmacy, and medical services to 200+ research, academic and biopharmaceutical organizations. NYBCe’s Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute is a leader in hematology and transfusion medicine research, dedicated to the study, prevention, treatment and cure of bloodborne and blood-related diseases. MBC serves as a vital community lifeline dedicated to helping patients and advancing global public health. To learn more, visit mbc.org. Connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn.