SunCoast Blood Centers (SCBC), Southwest Florida's primary blood bank and provider of other life-saving services, announced Wednesday the rollout of a new, solar-powered bloodmobile. This announcement comes after the successful trial of SCBC’s solar-powered concierge bloodmobile, marking them as the first in the U.S. to embrace solar energy. With collaborative support from Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast), the rollout of SCBC’s first full-sized blood mobile conversion marks a significant step in their commitment to adopting more fiscal and sustainable practices. Equally, donors will benefit from the reduced disruptive noises often associated with traditional, gas-powered engines, creating a noticeably quieter and more peaceful experience for them.The launch of SCBC’s solar-powered buses aligns with their priorities to create more fiscally sustainable opportunities while enhancing the donor experience and environmental well-being of the communities they serve. Furthermore, it will support their commitment to keep blood available and affordable for everyone, thanks to the energy cost savings it will generate. Beginning this week, community members can expect to see SCBC’s solar-powered mobile on roads, with more rolling out throughout 2024. Gulf Coast is one of the first organizations to support SCBC’s green energy transition in the community, recently granting the blood center an award of $45,500. SunCoast Blood Centers is committed to transitioning more of its operations for a greener, healthier, and more economically friendly environment in the coming years. Information about donating blood, including a mobile donation schedule and online appointments, can be found at www.suncoastblood.org.