Our History
In 1940 a young man from Everglades City was involved in a severe accident that resulted in the need for blood transfusions. The word quickly spread that blood was desperately needed to save his life. Mr. Norman Herren organized three carloads of volunteers and the caravan set out for the John Elliott Blood Bank in Miami. The first “blood drive” of Collier County was officially underway.
To meet the needs of the small, but growing community, Mr. Herren founded the Collier County Blood bank in 1950. This was in conjunction with the John Elliott Blood Bank, who continued to process the blood.
With Mr. Herren’s guidance, the growth process of blood banking in Collier County continued. In 1975 the Naples Community Hospital Blood Center was established to provide local donor facilities. In 1977 when the Collier County Blood Bank merged with the Naples Community Hospital Blood Center, Mr. Herren was appointed chairman of the Board of Directors of the what is currently called the Community Blood Center. As a non-profit organization, your Community Blood Center continues to provide a safe and adequate blood supply!
