The San Diego Blood Bank will put a $258,000 bloodmobile into operation Wednesday following a ceremony at Rady Children’s Hospital.
The 40-foot-long vehicle is built on a Freightliner MT-55 chassis. Its 6.7-liter Cummins turbo diesel engine is compliant with the latest California Air Resources Board emissions standards. The eight-bed interior was designed by La Boit Specialty Vehicles.
The new bloodmobile will replace a 1995 model with 151,000 miles.
“We are extremely grateful to our donors who come out to donate on our mobiles when a donor center isn’t convenient, and we are grateful to the people and foundations who make the purchase of a new bus possible,” said David Wellis, CEO of the blood bank. “Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, has hosted many drives over the years and we are happy to be presenting the bus on their campus.”
The blood bank said its fleet of nine bloodmobiles accounts for nearly half of all blood donations throughout the region even though people can also donate at six centers.
