In September, heavy equipment began scraping away the surface of what was once a carrot field in southwest Bakersfield and marked the beginning of a new era for Houchin Community Blood Bank.
The $10 million, 42,000-square-foot complex, which is being built on Buena Vista Road, south of White Lane, will usher in a new era for our 60-year-old community blood bank. By consolidating laboratory, quality assurance, manufacturing, distribution, information technology, community development, telerecruiting and transportation, which are currently housed in four separate locations, the new complex will allow Houchin to keep pace with the community’s rapidly expanding need for blood and blood products.
The new facility will include a full service blood drawing site. Donors can rest assured Houchin’s present location on Truxtun Avenue will remain open as a blood drawing site, as well.
We have begun a vigorous fundraising campaign to help finance construction of this vitally important consolidated facility that is expected to open in Fall 2012. Individual and corporate contributions are being encouraged. Opportunities for “naming rights” are available throughout the complex. Please call me directly for more information at 661-323-4222.
This project has been made possible through the generous 5-acre donation of land in the new Seven Oaks Business Park by Bolthouse Properties. Their donation is affording Houchin the opportunity to build a state of the art facility and continue our vision of providing Kern County with a safe and reliable blood supply well into the next 60 years.
Make sure to keep an eye on our website for updates on the construction of our new facility and to learn how you can help!
Greg Gallion, President/CEO
