The address has changed, but the mission remains the same for Lawrence’s primary blood supplier.

Doors closed for the last time Nov. 20 at the Community Blood Center’s former home at 535 Gateway Drive.

The building was too large, said Alisha Briseño, center director, and the location kept the center from growing at the same rate as the community.

“We felt we needed a smaller facility and more visibility,” Briseño said. “The old location didn’t allow us that.”

The new site, at 1410 Kasold Drive, seems to be a perfect fit, she said, and donors were adjusting well to the new surroundings.

The center provides blood and its components to 72 hospitals in 71 counties throughout Kansas and Missouri, serving more than 3 million people. Since taking over Topeka-based Kansas Blood Services in 1998, Community Blood Center has seen a steady increase in donation volume annually.

The local upswing in donations is consistent with an increase nationally. The American Red Cross reported a 6.1 percent increase in the number of blood donors in 2001 to 7.5 million nationwide.

What’s surprising, however, is the change in donor demographics. Traditionally, Briseño said, men have been more willing to give blood than women.

“That trend is changing, though, and an increased female population is donating,” she said.

The reason behind the change, Brise̱o said, was mobile blood donation Рlike blood drives Рand a greater presence in the workplace for women.

Sixty-four percent of Community Blood Center’s total intake comes from mobile donations, and 43 percent of those contributions come from business stops, according to the center’s research.

¢ www.BloodIsLife.org

As the number of working women continues to grow, mobile blood collection units also are seeing female donor numbers increase, Briseño said.

“It makes it more convenient for everyone,” Briseño said. “We can come in, set up for two or three hours, and then we’re out of there.”

One trend that hasn’t changed, however, is the age of donors.

While 36- to 55-year-olds make up the largest portion of donor statistics at nearly 47 percent, 17- to 35-year-olds contribute 39 percent.

Regardless of donors’ sex or age, the center’s top priority continues to be maintaining high donation numbers.

And with greater visibility and a building that suits its needs, Briseño says that job isn’t too tough to tackle for Lawrence’s Community Blood Center.

“The potential is there to see more,” she said. “That’s just the type of community Lawrence is.”