Red Cross to cease blood donations in central Arkansas

October 12, 2017 at 4:50 a.m. | Updated October 12, 2017 at 3:03 a.m.

by Associated Press

This Aug. 20, 2013 file photo shows blood donated in Indianapolis. On Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration recommended that all U.S. blood banks start screening for the Zika virus, a major expansion intended to protect the nation's blood supply from the mosquito-borne disease.
This Aug. 20, 2013 file photo shows blood donated in Indianapolis. On Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, the Food and Drug Administration recommended that all U.S. blood banks start screening for the Zika virus, a major expansion intended to protect the nation's blood supply from the mosquito-borne disease.

LITTLE ROCK-The American Red Cross says it will no longer be taking blood donations from central Arkansas starting next year but will continue providing services to other parts of the state.

The Red Cross plans to transfer its Little Rock and Russellville-based blood collections to the Arkansas Blood Institute by January, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

The nonprofit said 44 of its employees in central Arkansas will be losing their jobs, though 43 will be offered equivalent jobs with the Arkansas Blood Institute.

"The Red Cross knows these changes will affect the lives of our employees and their families, and is committed to doing the most it can to help make this transition as smooth as possible," the nonprofit said in a statement.

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