Blood Emergency Readiness Corps

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SunCoast Blood Centers is joining with blood centers across the US to meet critical demand for blood products.

Preparing for Tomorrow, Today

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In mass transfusion emergencies, there is not enough time to collect the necessary units of blood to save lives. The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) is a network of community-based, non-profit blood centers across the United States committed to preparing for mass transfusion disasters when they strike. 

In many disasters and critical-need situations where lives are on the line, medical systems need blood immediately. With lower donation rates nationwide, many blood centers don’t have enough blood on their shelves to handle significant transfusion needs that may happen with mass shootings, natural disasters, or large-scale accidents. 

SunCoast has joined BERC and is collecting extra units as part of the group for an emergency reserve.  We are on-call every three weeks and donors who help this national emergency network are part of the SunCoast Emergency Blood Force.

Here’s coverage from ABC ACTION NEWS:

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How BERC Works

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Emergency Readiness

Blood centers collect extra units of blood on a rotating schedule. As a result, they create an emergency reserve for needed transfusions in emergencies. Suncoast is on-call every three weeks.

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Immediate Action

When an emergency occurs, blood is released without delay to the blood center in immediate need to meet the initial demand.

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Efficient Usage

Blood centers return unused blood units to the collecting blood center for general needs.

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Rapid Response for Blood Needs

The BERC Network has already made an impact. In December 2021, SunCoast Blood Centers responded to the call for help and contributed blood to help those injured by tornadoes that struck in Kentucky.

Here’s coverage from FOX13 News: