Memorial Blood Centers held its grand opening for their new donation center on Tuesday. The new location is at on 14 East Central Entrance, Duluth. The new building began taking donors at the beginning of April but was fully completed and prepared for the official opening celebration.

The new blood center also brings a new form of donation back to Duluth. The facility now has three apheresis platelet donation chairs and machines.

Angela Engblom, Senior Manager of Duluth Operations for Memorial Blood Center, explained this is the first time in twenty years that platelet donations have been available in Duluth.

“We have been getting our platelets from our Saint Paul location,” said Engblom. “Now we have (platelet) donors, so now we can basically fill our needs in the northland from the northland.”

In attendance at the grand opening was a very special guest. Bennett Young was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 21 months. Now, at eight years old and thanks to many blood transfusions, Bennet has been in remission for three years.

In attendance Tuesday was a very special guest. Bennett Young was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 21 months old. Now, eight-year-old Bennet has been in remission for eight years, and his family thanks his blood donors.

“We’re here today to meet one of bennet’s blood donors and put a face to it. Kind of exciting to have the opportunity to see the impact you can have on somebody else and to like to have our family be here for that,” said Sam Young, Bennet’s mother.

Those who would like to donate blood or platelets can make an appointment at the new location or go online to Memorial Blood Centers to learn more about blood donation locations in your area.