Community Blood Center of the Carolinas President and CEO Martin Grable is the new president of America’s Blood Centers (ABC).

“ABC’s mission is to help its member blood centers serve their communities,” Grable said. “It’s a remarkably important organization. It’s the one place all of the independent, nonprofit blood centers in the United States come together in the interest of the U.S. blood supply. The opportunity to lead that group is an honor.”

ABC’s member organizations make up the largest network of independent, nonprofit community blood centers throughout North America. The more than 600 blood donation sites operated by those blood centers supply more than 3,500 hospitals and health care facilities; more than half the U.S. and Canadian blood supply.

As ABC president, Grable will preside over all ABC meetings and supervise the activities of the organization during what he calls a fascinating time for the blood industry. He plans to focus on scientific, medical and technical activities, along with quality and regulatory issues.

“The changing health care environment has had a tremendous effect on what we do,” Grable said. “The pace of change in the blood industry today is faster than it’s ever been. Everything from a declining donor base to the increasing need for more specific blood type matches for patients has made navigating the blood supply that much more challenging. At the same time, the demands for quality and safety have never been greater either.”

Grable said he is ready for the challenge, and believes his new position will also contribute to the continued growth of Community Blood Center of the Carolinas (CBCC).

“CBCC wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for all the other people and blood centers who have contributed to the knowledge base and decision making that has allowed our center to grow and develop over the last 15 years,” Grable said. “Being on the ABC board and being elected to this position has provided valuable insight into the industry and the issues we face together.”

CBCC was formed by five regional hospital groups in 2002. Grable joined the center as president and CEO in September 2004 and has worked to expand the blood center’s reach and capabilities. CBCC has five donation centers and is the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals.

Grable was nominated by his peers in January 2016 for the top ABC position. His nomination was accepted in March of this year at ABC’s member meeting, held in Jacksonville, Fla. Grable has served on ABC’s board of directors for seven years. He will serve as ABC president for two years, and as immediate past president for one year.

“The people who are ensuring the availability of blood to the American public every day are a dedicated group of highly committed, intelligent, driven individuals,” Grable said. “To be elected to be president of the association is both an honor and a responsibility.”

About Community Blood Center of the Carolinas

The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is the local nonprofit, community-based blood center and the primary blood supplier to the region’s hospitals. CBCC collects blood and blood products from volunteer donors in the community to return to the community at the lowest possible cost consistent with the highest possible standards. CBCC is a member of America’s Blood Centers, North America’s largest network of community-based, independent blood centers that provide more than 50 percent of the nation’s blood supply.

For more information on hosting a blood drive or donating blood in your area, visit www.cbcc.us or call 1-888-59BLOOD.

Follow the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BloodCenter, on Instagram https://instagram.com/cbccarolinas/ and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CBCCarolinas.