The Blood Connection Expands into Southside Virginia, Takes Over Sovah Health Danville Blood Donor Center
The Blood Connection (TBC), one of the Southeast’s leading independent nonprofit community blood centers, has officially become the exclusive blood supplier for Sovah Health – Danville, marking a major step in expanding its footprint across Virginia. Effective October 1, TBC also assumed operations of the Sovah Health Blood Donor Center located at 159 Executive Drive, Suite K, establishing its first permanent presence in Southside Virginia and its second operational site in the state.
The transition represents a growing national shift in how hospitals manage their blood supply needs—by forming long-term partnerships with dedicated community blood centers that specialize in donor recruitment, testing, and distribution. Through this new partnership, Sovah Health – Danville joins a regional network of over 130 hospitals, EMS providers, and air medical organizations that rely on The Blood Connection for lifesaving blood products.
Ensuring a Steady Local Blood Supply
This new collaboration aims to provide the Danville community with a safe, reliable, and consistent supply of blood products collected from local donors. Blood donations will be drawn, tested, and processed through TBC’s robust network, ensuring that patients in the region receive blood sourced from their own community.
“Partnering with Sovah Health allows us to extend our mission of saving lives while strengthening the local healthcare infrastructure,” said Delisa K. English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “Our model focuses on community engagement—helping donors give where they live and ensuring those donations directly support patients in their hometown hospitals.”
By bringing TBC’s operational expertise to Danville, Sovah Health expects to enhance efficiency in blood inventory management and donor engagement. The Blood Connection’s advanced testing capabilities, distribution systems, and donor support programs are designed to maintain a constant and safe supply of all blood components, including whole blood, plasma, and platelets.
The Opening of the Danville Community Blood Center
As part of the transition, The Blood Connection will rebrand and reopen the Sovah Health Blood Donor Center as the Danville Community Blood Center, scheduled for public opening on Saturday, November 1. The new center will feature expanded donor hours, improved amenities, and enhanced donor engagement initiatives, such as rewards programs, mobile blood drives, and special community events.
Donors will be able to give a range of blood products, including whole blood, platelets, and double red cells. TBC will also operate mobile drives throughout Danville and neighboring areas to make blood donation more accessible. The center’s expansion is expected to significantly increase the number of local donations and reduce dependence on external suppliers.
“Every community benefits when local donors contribute directly to their local hospitals,” English added. “By making it easier to donate and by rewarding those who participate, we are helping create a stronger, self-sustaining healthcare ecosystem in Southside Virginia.”
Strengthening Regional Healthcare
Sovah Health – Danville, a leading healthcare provider for the Southside region, views this partnership as a natural step forward in improving patient care and resource management. The hospital, part of the Lifepoint Health network, serves a diverse patient population requiring a steady supply of blood for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatment, and chronic conditions.
“With The Blood Connection as our new blood supplier, we’re confident our patients will benefit from their exceptional standards of safety and service,” said Steve Heatherly, Market President at Sovah Health. “Their team’s expertise in community engagement and donor relations will enhance the way we manage our blood supply, ensuring that we can respond rapidly and effectively to any medical need.”
Heatherly emphasized that the transition would be seamless for patients and staff, as both organizations share a commitment to excellence, reliability, and local engagement. “Donors and patients alike should feel confident that this partnership will bring continued innovation and efficiency to our hospital network,” he said.
A Trusted Nonprofit Partner
Founded over 60 years ago, The Blood Connection has grown into one of the Southeast’s most trusted blood providers. The organization operates under strict FDA regulations and is recognized for maintaining the highest levels of safety and quality in blood collection, testing, and distribution. TBC’s infrastructure includes state-of-the-art laboratories, specialized logistics operations, and dedicated donor recruitment teams that support hospitals across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia.
The organization’s nonprofit model means that all proceeds are reinvested into community outreach, education, and innovation. Its mission centers on connecting donors with the lifesaving needs of their neighbors, emphasizing transparency and community benefit over profit.
TBC’s entry into Danville aligns with its strategic goal of strengthening local blood self-sufficiency throughout the Southeast. By partnering with hospitals like Sovah Health, the organization is helping to build resilient systems capable of meeting both everyday medical needs and emergency surges in demand.
Supporting Community Involvement
Beyond supplying hospitals, TBC is deeply committed to community engagement. The organization actively collaborates with schools, universities, businesses, faith organizations, and civic groups to host blood drives and educational campaigns.
In Danville, TBC plans to work with local schools and businesses to organize recurring donation events and awareness programs. These partnerships aim to foster a culture of giving and highlight how each donation can make an immediate difference for patients in the community.
“We want to empower individuals to become heroes in their own neighborhoods,” English said. “Every pint of blood collected in Danville stays right here to save local lives—whether it’s a trauma victim, a surgery patient, or someone battling cancer. That’s what community-based healthcare is all about.”
Building on a Legacy of Trust and Service
Over the decades, The Blood Connection has earned a strong reputation for its commitment to safety, efficiency, and compassion. Its partnership-based approach to hospital service allows medical professionals to focus on patient care, while TBC handles every aspect of donor management and product supply.
The organization utilizes advanced testing technology to ensure each unit of blood meets or exceeds national safety standards. Its distribution teams monitor real-time hospital demand, allowing them to respond quickly to critical shortages or emergencies.
This proven model has helped TBC expand steadily across the Southeast. With the addition of the Danville center, the organization strengthens its Virginia presence while reinforcing its commitment to community-centered care.
