The address has changed, but the mission remains the same for LawrenceâÂÂs primary blood supplier.

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

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

âÂÂWe felt we needed a smaller facility and more visibility,â Briseà ±o said. âÂÂThe old location didnâÂÂt allow us that.âÂÂ

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.

WhatâÂÂs surprising, however, is the change in donor demographics. Traditionally, Briseà ±o said, men have been more willing to give blood than women.

âÂÂThat trend is changing, though, and an increased female population is donating,â she said.

The reason behind the change, Briseà ±o said, was mobile blood donation – like blood drives – and a greater presence in the workplace for women.

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

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

âÂÂIt makes it more convenient for everyone,â Briseà ±o said. âÂÂWe can come in, set up for two or three hours, and then weâÂÂre out of there.âÂÂ

One trend that hasnâÂÂt 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 donorsâ sex or age, the centerâÂÂs top priority continues to be maintaining high donation numbers.

And with greater visibility and a building that suits its needs, Briseà ±o says that job isnâÂÂt too tough to tackle for LawrenceâÂÂs Community Blood Center.

âÂÂThe potential is there to see more,â she said. âÂÂThatâÂÂs just the type of community Lawrence is.âÂÂ