St. Jude's Blood Bank Doubles in Size

What an amazing achievement for such a prestigious research hospital! We all know the reputation and monumental work that St. Jude's does for thousands of children each year. Now, through the assistance of the Chili's Restaurant Cares program, the hospital has not only enlarged the overall campus, but they have been able to DOUBLE the size of the blood bank.

This is an extraordinary task because nearly all of the patients that are treated at St. Jude's will require a blood transfusion at some point in their treatment. The blood donor center expansion is part of a $16.8 million renovation project that will include 95,000 square feet when complete.

When the seven-story, $116 million Chili's Care Center opened in 2007, many hospital departments left their original locations. This left many clinics and departments with room to grow into the newly available space.

The blood donor center, for example, grew from 900 square feet to 1,800 square feet into space that once housed St. Jude's eye clinic. The move has allowed for seven dedicated blood donation stations (up from five), two patient procedure rooms, new office space and a waiting room.

The center collects mostly platelets that are given directly to St. Jude patients. It tests and stores its own blood and blood products on site and they are not available to patients anywhere but St. Jude. The center does NOT rely on any outside source for blood products. Last year the center drew about 10-15 donors per day and ultimately donors gave a total of roughly 2,000 units of blood. (Blood units differ in size depending on the size of the donor.) The expansion will allow even more donors/units and will provide greater peace of mind to parents knowing that their child will continue receiving the best care possible.

Next time you are in Chili's having lunch or dinner, please take the time to color one of the famous "Peppers" - your donation gives back to St. Jude's Hospital and to the Blood Donor Center.