The new Southcoast Health Van, which hit the streets today, will serve some 5,000 residents throughout the region with access to free health screenings, education and now blood donation.
The new Southcoast Health Van further enhances Southcoast's mission to "break down barriers to health care and improve access to much needed services in the South Coast region," said Ronald B. Goodspeed, MD, MPH, President of Southcoast Hospitals Group.
New equipment, better screening facilities, a blood donor center with five donor chairs and a reliable vehicle are highlights of the new van. Licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Southcoast Health Van also complies with new federal privacy regulations under HIPPA, the national regulations protecting patient privacy. Funding for the van was secured in part through Southcoast Hospitals Group and community organizations.
Financial support for the new Southcoast Health Van came from local businesses.
See the new van — and find out when it will be in your neighborhood.
Donate blood ~ save a life
Southcoast Blood Bank urgently needs blood donors.
"We need all blood types with an urgent request for type 'O' blood," said Sandra Pires, the donor recruiter from Southcoast Blood Bank.
"Blood supplies are low nationally which puts a increased strain on our local supplies. We are concerned going into the summer months, when donations tend to decrease even more, that our supply will reach a critical low."
You can donate blood today at St. Luke's Hospital or in your community when the Southcoast Health Van is in town.
The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. Appointments are requested, but not necessary, and can be made by calling 508-961-5320. www.southcoast.org/involve/bloodbank/

Sweet things await you at our 5th Annual Southcoast Temptations event.
