ABOUT US

The Central California Blood Center provides blood and services to patients who receive care at 30 hospitals and their network of facilities in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties. 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood must be collected per month to meet the needs of patients in our Central Valley community.

MISSION STATEMENT

Central California Blood Center is committed to saving lives and improving patient care by providing a safe and abundant blood supply for the patients and families in the communities we serve.

VISION STATEMENT

  • Employees: Be a great place to work where people are positive and inspired to be the best they can be.
  • Strategy: Bring to our customers a portfolio of the highest quality blood products and services to make a difference in the lives of patients we serve.
  • Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers to create mutual, enduring value.
  • Compliance: Accept the responsibility to be safe and compliant at all times.
  • Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization.
  • Fiscal Stewardship: Maximize long-term value of our organization while being mindful of our fiscal responsibilities.

CORE VALUES GUIDING OUR ACTIONS

  • Exceeding the quality and customer service expectations of our donors, customers and community.
  • Being the best at what we do.
  • Providing an opportunity for employee growth and professional development.
  • Fostering an environment of open communications.
  • Treating each and every individual with dignity and respect.
  • Acting always with the highest integrity and resolve.
  • Recognizing individual and team contributions.
  • Holding everyone responsible and accountable for results.
  • Embracing a mindset of fiscal responsibility.

HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL CALIFORNIA BLOOD CENTER

During World War II, a tremendous amount of blood was drawn and transported to combat zones for the treatment of war injuries with the encouraging result that the mortality among our military casualties was lowered considerably. Doctors who came home to the Central Valley after their war service started using blood in treating their patients, but many local hospitals could not obtain enough blood to fulfill the need.

From 1946 to 1947, a committee from the Fresno County Medical Society was formed in response to this need. The Valley Blood Bank opened at 366 N. Van Ness Avenue in 1949. This proved satisfactory until April 1953, when the California Medical Association’s Blood Bank Commission chairman urged the Fresno County Medical Society to establish a community shared, not for profit blood bank.

Two years later, on June 8, 1954, the Central California Blood Bank (CCBB) opened in a remodeled home at 2155 Amador Street. The technical staff included two registered nurses, two laboratory technicians and a recording secretary. Eventually, CCBB became a big business and ran short of space. The Blood Bank moved to new facilities at 3425 N. First Street in 1971. Then, in 1983, a newer facility was built behind that location and the Blood Bank expanded into the South Valley with the opening of the Visalia Donor Center on Mooney Boulevard. Then, donor centers in Porterville and North Fresno followed. In 1995 the name was changed to the Central California Blood Center (CCBC). The Blood Center expanded once again with a new corporate site. The Jenny Eller Donor Center, which is located at Blythe and Herndon in Fresno, opened in the Fall of 2009. Most recently, the Jenny Eller Donor Center expanded with an additional “bus barn” to house our bloodmobiles.

1949 - North Van Ness Location

North Van Ness Location Opened in 1949

1955 - Amador Location

Amador Location Opened in 1955

2009 - Jenny Eller Donor Center

First and Shields Location Opened in 1971

Jenny Eller Interior 2018

Interior of Jenny Eller Donor Center, 2018