Miller Keystone seeks county sponsorship for $900,000 LSA request to replace aging bloodmobiles

Miller Keystone Blood Center told the Northampton County committee on Nov. 6 that an aging fleet of bloodmobiles has forced cancellations of community blood drives and raised maintenance costs, and the nonprofit asked the county to sponsor a $900,000 Local Share Account (LSA) grant application.

Rami Niemah, president and CEO of Miller Keystone Blood Center, said the organization collects blood at fixed collection sites and at mobile drives at businesses, churches and schools to meet regional hospital demand. Niemah said the center operates six bloodmobiles and that four of them are roughly 18–20 years old; one vehicle is “over 25” years old. He said parts are increasingly difficult to obtain and that breakdowns have sidelined vehicles for extended periods, harming operations and donor experience.

Chris Rolf, the center’s director of finance, said the original plan to buy four new bloodmobiles has been adjusted: the organization plans to add a fifth new vehicle and to refurbish two vehicles that are five to ten years old. Rolf provided cost figures: he cited about $450,000 as a low estimate for a new bloodmobile and about $250,000 to refurbish an existing vehicle. He said the center spends more than $50,000 annually on repairs and that lead times for parts can keep vehicles out of service for months.

Lina Barbieri, philanthropy officer, described a six-year capital campaign that is in year three, with a revised goal of $2.5 million. She said Miller Keystone has raised $1.2 million in cash and pledges and that a recent $200,000 commitment toward a refurbished bus improved the campaign total. Barbieri said the center serves 21 counties — 18 of them in Pennsylvania — and that county sponsorship of the LSA application would support a statewide grant request of $900,000 recommended by a state senator’s office.

Committee members asked whether blood drives could be run indoors without bloodmobiles. Niemah said the center can use indoor spaces when available, but many workplaces lack suitable space, accessible loading, or elevator access for the necessary equipment. Commissioner Jeff Warren and other members praised the center’s work and indicated support for the request; no formal vote was recorded during this session.

The center did not provide a formal motion to be voted on at this meeting. Miller Keystone emphasized that adequate, reliable vehicles are essential to restore mobile collections to pre-pandemic levels and to reduce cancellations of scheduled drives.