Helping to Ensure a Safe Blood Supply
For over 35 years, The Champlin Foundation has helped save lives by generously supporting the Rhode Island Blood Center’s (RIBC) mission. The Foundation’s extensive grant support has afforded the blood center steady growth and improvement not only in the community blood program, but also in developing into more than just a blood center.
The Champlin Foundation has greatly contributed to the development of our state-of-the-art laboratory, which primarily ensures blood safety through testing. Equipment for testing is critical in blood banking as blood borne pathogens, such as Babesiosis and Zika, emerge over time, and new safety testing is developed to minimize risk. Our laboratory also allows us to serve other blood centers with testing and services, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) histocompatibility and red cell typing, immunogenics, as well as DNA and relationship testing. We also participate in a variety of local and national research programs in an effort to continue to improve all aspects of the blood supply.
By helping RIBC purchase and maintain several “blood mobiles,” The Champlin Foundation helps us move about the community bringing blood collection services to donors where it is most convenient for them to give, a key element for ensuring and increasing donations. Our apheresis therapeutics team provides direct patient care in local hospitals with medical equipment purchased with funding from the Champlin Foundation.
Ensuring a safe, plentiful and cost-effective blood supply is our mission, and these are just a few of the ways The Champlin Foundation has played a pivotal role in helping us continue to carry it out. RIBC is tremendously grateful for their generosity and philanthropic efforts to support local non-profits.