SunCoast Blood Centers Celebrates 77 Years of Lifesaving Service on Valentine’s Day
Founded on Valentine’s Day in 1949, SunCoast Blood Centers is marking 77 years of neighbors saving neighbors through the lifesaving gift of blood donation.
For more than seven decades, the nonprofit organization has been the sole provider of blood products to 15 hospitals and medical centers across the region. Patients in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties rely on local donors to ensure blood is available for trauma care, surgeries, cancer treatments, and medical emergencies.
Established on February 14, 1949, SunCoast was built on the principle that the greatest gifts come from the heart. As one of only three regions in Florida with a hometown blood bank dedicated exclusively to serving its local community, Southwest Florida remains self-sufficient thanks to the generosity of area donors.
As a nonprofit blood bank, every donation collected stays within the four-county service area, directly supporting patients in local hospitals and treatment centers. In addition to operating donor centers in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, and Bradenton, SunCoast also hosts mobile blood drives throughout the region.
Beginning February 14, the organization is offering additional incentives for donors in 2026. Each blood donor will receive an instant $30 e-gift card and may earn up to $240 in total rewards throughout the year. Donors visiting any of the six SunCoast locations are also invited to celebrate the anniversary with cake and Valentine-themed festivities.
Appointments can be scheduled at suncoastblood.org or by calling 866-972-5663.
