Two of Florida's largest blood centers are merging--Florida Blood Services based in St. Petersburg, FL and the Southeastern Community Blood Center in Tallahassee.

Leaders of both blood centers say the merger will result in an even stronger regional commitment in providing blood and blood components to the local communities while capitalizing on the latest technologies.

Jeanne Dariotis, CEO of SCBC said, "Our first priority is always to the people that we serve in North Florida and South Georgia. Our donors have been an integral part of our success to this point and will continue to be important as we move forward. Through this merger we will be better able to serve local needs for generations to come."

FBS currently serves health facilities in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties. Earlier this year FBS merged with Northwest Florida Blood Center serving Pensacola, Panama City, and Alabama's Mobile Bay area. The recent merger with SCBC will now at the entire Florida Panhandle, Alabama's Mobile Bay area, much of South Georgia and the Tampa Bay area.