News Release

UPMC NORTHWEST, CENTRAL BLOOD BANK TO JOIN FORCES

Jan. 16, 2006 — UPMC Northwest and Pittsburgh-based Central Blood Bank will join forces to help meet the area’s need for blood and blood products.

Effective July 1, 2006, Central Blood Bank will become the sole provider of blood and blood products for UPMC Northwest.

In preparation for UPMC Northwest’s transition to a new blood supplier, the hospital and Central Blood Bank soon will begin enlisting organizations to sponsor blood drives in 2006, says UPMC Northwest president Neil Todhunter. Central Blood Bank will announce the schedules for these drives starting later this year.

Central Blood Bank is a not-for-profit organization that provides blood products and related transfusion services for more than 40 hospitals in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia, including Titusville Area Hospital, Meadville Medical Center, United Community Hospital in Grove City, UPMC Horizon in Greenville and Farrell, as well as the majority of UPMC hospitals. The blood bank needs to register 725 donors every day to meet these hospitals’ needs for blood and blood products.

UPMC Northwest no longer will receive its blood supply from the American Red Cross after June 30, but will continue to support and collaborate with the Red Cross on other services including disaster relief and emergency preparedness.