Five hospitals in Georgia and South Carolina have selected US-based non-profit community blood centre The Blood Connection (TBC) as their sole blood provider.

These hospitals are Fairview Park Hospital, Memorial Health University Medical Center, Doctors Hospital of Augusta, Memorial Health Meadows, and Memorial Satilla Health.

In addition, Trident Regional Medical Center, Grand Strand Medical Center, Summerville Medical Center, and Colleton Medical Center decided to continue their existing alliance with TBC.

In total, these facilities serve hundreds of thousands of patients annually.

The choice of TBC is aimed at ensuring a consistent blood supply for patients.

In this context, TBC highlighted that just 3% of the eligible population in the US makes blood donations. 

At present, the community blood centre runs 15 blood donation centres and 50 bloodmobile units, collecting approximately 1,000 blood donations daily.

TBC president and CEO Delisa English said: "The Blood Connection is proud to serve these hospital partners to ensure there are enough blood products for every patient in need.

"Since there is no substitute for blood, we are reliant on community blood donors and the many organisations who also support the local blood supply by sponsoring blood drives. Blood donations truly save lives."

Founded in 1962, TBC is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.

It currently serves over 120 hospitals in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.