Inside the SAVES Blood Donor Program
February 2, 2026
SAVES in Asheville, North Carolina, launched its blood donor program in December 2024, and in just under a year, the program has grown into something truly impactful for both the hospital and the surrounding community.
The program is run by Jennifer Randall, with medical support from Dr. Sharon Finster, Dr. Emily Chrai, and Dr. Meghan Blankenship. Jen relocated to the Asheville area specifically to build this program for SAVES, and her commitment is evident in every stage of its development.
In a relatively short period of time, the SAVES blood bank has reached a significant milestone. The program is now fully meeting the hospital’s blood product needs through its own donor base. As the program continues to grow, the team is also exploring ways to support additional needs beyond their hospital.
At the center of the SAVES program is a strong focus on donor safety. Jen brings prior blood banking experience from another Ethos hospital and has been working in blood banking for a little over four years. This background has helped guide the program’s growth while maintaining high standards of care and consistency. She remains committed to ongoing education and professional development to ensure the program continues to operate safely and effectively.
SAVES recently introduced a Hero Blood Bag as a way to visually represent the impact of its blood donor program. Each time a donor comes in, the team will add a botanical paper dog or cat cutout to the bag, along with hearts representing the lives saved through that donation. Over the course of the year, the bag will be a visual story of the donors, the care teams, and the patients whose outcomes are changed because blood was available when it mattered most.
A Snapshot of the SAVES Program
Active Donors:
- 68 total donors
- 42 dogs
- 26 cats, including 2 Type B cats
Units Collected:
- 280+ units collected
- Most units were processed into packed red blood cells (PRBC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), with some retained as whole blood.
Program Impact
Through the dedication of donors, caregivers, and clinical teams, the SAVES blood donor program plays a critical role in supporting emergency care, surgery, and specialty treatments for patients in need.
This program reflects what’s possible when skilled teams, committed donors, and a shared purpose come together. Every donation helps ensure that lifesaving blood products are available when patients need them most.
