GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A new blood and platelet donation center in Green Bay will help ease donors’ anxiety using a “mixed reality experience” — the first of its kind in Wisconsin.
On Tuesday, the Community Blood Center (CBC) held a grand opening for its state-of-the-art donor location at 1241 Lombardi Access Road, Suite H. Although the CBC has facilities across the state, this is the first location in the Greater Green Bay area.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to be able to donate blood each and every day, to support patients in our community that need their support,” said John Hagins, president and CEO of the Community Blood Center.
CBC’s Green Bay location is unique in that it allows donors to immerse themselves in a “mixed reality adventure” using a pair of Microsoft HoloLens 2 Mixed Reality (MR) headsets. The experience is designed to attract younger donors, as well as help ease anxiety for those giving blood.
As finding blood donors continues to be a challenge, this experience creates a fun and relaxing environment while giving blood, especially for those who may be apprehensive or it is their first experience donating blood. A new study shows that the mixed reality experience helped ease feelings of anxiety in 68.4% of participating donors. The most common fears reported in the study were a fear of pain, needles, fainting, and how one may feel post-donation.
Individuals who donate with CBC directly help patients in the Green Bay area, as CBC provides blood to HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center and Bellin Hospital.
“The need for blood is constant. One in every seven patients need a blood transfusion coming out of a hospital and every two seconds in the U.S., someone needs a blood transfusion,” said Hagins. “And it’s unpredictable. You can never tell when you or someone you love might need a blood transfusion.”
To schedule a donation at the CBC’s donor center in Green Bay, click here or call (800) 280-4102.
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