End of an era for Tacoma-based Cascade Regional Blood Services. Here’s what’s going on
A longtime nonprofit blood bank that supplies medical facilities in Pierce County is winding down after nearly 80 years.
In a news release issued Tuesday, Jan. 30, Tacoma-based Cascade Regional Blood Services announced its plan to “transition” its blood-bank operations in February as another nonprofit, Bloodworks Northwest, takes over its previous work with MultiCare.
CRBS has been a supplier primarily to MultiCare hospitals and health centers in Pierce County and southern King County since 1946 and is a member of Blood Centers of America and America’s Blood Centers.
“Most positions ... will be eliminated no later than February 29 as a result of the transition,” it noted. “Collection operations will taper accordingly.”
Its most recent IRS Form 990 available online, filed in 2021, listed 173 employees. The announcement did not offer a total of how many positions are being eliminated.
According to the announcement, Bloodworks Northwest will “supply the community through its new contract with MultiCare Health System beginning in March 2024.”
CRBS’ FAQ on its website notes, “Bloodworks will be the new, exclusive provider of blood components to MultiCare Health System starting March 1.”
Blood donations to Bloodworks Northwest currently help serve the majority of hospitals in the Pacific Northwest, and it has been in operation since 1944.
CRBS says it will maintain “a few key positions necessary to fulfill its contractual and regulatory obligations in processing and providing blood products.”
“This decision in no way diminishes the accomplishments, quality, and dedication” of staff, said CRBS CEO Pat Scanlon in a statement. “It is purely due to the financial and market dynamics of operating a smaller community blood center today.”
CRBS noted that its size made it difficult to continue, blaming “decreasing collections driven by changing demographics – and an increase in institutional and patient needs – have outpaced the ability of legacy organizations to scale operations quickly enough to meet those demands.”
“The agreement between MultiCare and Bloodworks Northwest, both larger entities, helps mitigate those challenges and ensures continuity of supply as demands increase,” it added in the release.
Curt Bailey, president and CEO of Bloodworks Northwest, said in a statement, “We have the utmost respect for their work and, in particular, the care and affection they have for their donors and patients.
“Over the coming weeks, we welcome the opportunity to meet this important group and continue to save lives locally,” Bailey added.
Cascade’s collection centers in Tacoma at 220 S. I St., and Puyallup, 13613 Meridian Ave. E., Suite No. 120, will remain open for a short period in February.
“Going forward, CRBS encourages donors to book appointments to donate locally with Bloodworks Northwest. Those wishing to learn more about the transition are invited to visit crbs.net or bloodworksnw.org for more information,” the organization said.
This story was originally published January 31, 2024 at 5:30 AM.
