Every three minutes, a patient is diagnosed with blood cancer in the U.S., and every nine minutes, someone dies from it. One in eight Americans will develop a blood clot, and 100,000 die from one annually. Rare blood disorders are currently incurable. But there is hope in research.
The scientists at Versiti Blood Research Institute are making discoveries that are revolutionizing health care for blood diseases including leukemia, sickle cell disease, lymphoma and many more life-threatening conditions. Your donation helps propel that remarkable research forward.
Plus, when you or a loved one receives blood at a hospital in Southeastern Wisconsin, it likely comes from Versiti, which provides lifesaving blood for patients in need of transfusions.
Both blood and financial donations are crucial to Versiti’s mission, which extends throughout the community. In October, Versiti opened a new donor center in the ThriveOn King building on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This center not only focuses on blood collection but also serves the community through health care career training.
“We established the center to give back to the community,” says Kelley McCaskill, vice president of philanthropy at Versiti. “The center supports the local community by providing resources through a health care navigator and helping patients with sickle cell disease through diverse blood donations.”
Versiti’s current Invest in Hope campaign supports the expansion of Versiti Blood Research Institute. The goal is to raise $12 million-$15 million in donations by the end of 2027, a goal that, if met, will almost double the size of the Institute. Expanding the research facility will give Versiti the tools it needs to pursue a bold vision: to innovate blood research; create better outcomes; and improve the lives of patients in Wisconsin, the U.S. and around the world.
What We Do
- Versiti Blood Research Institute progresses science and medicine for Versiti (formerly BloodCenter of Wisconsin) to enhance the lives of patients. VBRI is a catalyst of medical innovation, bringing together some of the brightest minds in research to better understand blood diseases and to find more effective treatments.
- For more than 75 years, VBRI discoveries have shaped the practice of medicine, touched millions of lives in Wisconsin and around the world, and impacted scientific thinking across disciplines. Empowered by a uniquely collaborative research environment and a commitment to improving patients’ lives, VBRI plans to expand its facilities and double the size of its team over the next five to seven years.
Where Your Money Goes
- The Invest in Hope campaign will propel VBRI into the next phase of excellence. Versiti is expanding its facilities to grow its research environment. These upgrades will fuel the discovery of new treatments and cures, giving hope to patients and families in Milwaukee and beyond.
- The new VBRI facility will allow Versiti to further collaborate across disciplines, push the boundaries of scientific knowledge, and forge practice-changing discoveries for the benefit of patients.
Versiti Blood Research Institute
8727 W. Watertown Plank Rd. | 414-937-6238
versiti.org
