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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Representatives and employees of Lifesouth gathered alongside members of the city of Pelham and the Shelby County Chamber to celebrate the grand opening of Lifesouth’s newest operational brick and mortar donation center on Wednesday, July 24.

At the event, representatives from the city of Pelham, the Shelby County Chamber and the Chamber’s Ambassador Program stood alongside one another to cut the ceremonial ribbon before taking turns signing the ribbon to wish the establishment the best of luck in its mission.

“It is another great day in the county and the city of Pelham,” said Kirk Mancer, president and CEO of the Shelby County Chamber. “I know Mayor Gary Waters and the Pelham City Council extend their congratulations and best wishes and very much appreciate (Lifesouth) choosing to locate their facility here in Pelham.”

Although the new facility, located at 325 Huntley Parkway, has been accepting donations of much-needed blood since March, the grand opening marks its full introduction to the local community and signifies its fulfilled and expanded operational capacity.

“I want to thank everyone for coming,” said Brian Garrett, Regional Director of Lifesouth Community Blood Centers. “If you don’t know, we are the red, white and blue buses that you see around town. We have been here in the community since 1996 and our operation is based on Oxmoor Road.”

While most may recognize Lifesouth’s operation when onboard their trademark “Bloodmobile” buses, the organization has recently led expansions into brick and mortar donation centers that carry the benefit of remaining present in one location.

“This new location is the first of (our area’s) expansion of donor centers,” Garrett said. “This is where people can walk in—you don’t need to make an appointment, you walk right in off the street—and donate blood.”

In total, Lifesouth’s website now lists 51 such donor centers across the organization’s entire coverage area, with Pelham’s being the latest to arrive and with more planned to come in the future.

With its central headquarters located in Gainesville, Florida, Lifesouth currently supplies at least 150 hospitals throughout the states of Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee with lifesaving blood and blood supplies procured through its donor programs. Within Alabama alone, where the organization has its strongest presence out of any state, Lifesouth services more than 60 hospitals and encompasses the entire state in their coverage of LifeSouth Communities.

“Our expansion is really important to help supply the needed blood supply for the community,” Garrett said. “This facility is the first step in our expansion and we are happy to be in Shelby County and glad that the community will have us.”