BLOOD EMERGENCY READINESS
CORPS (BERC)

The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps, or BERC, is a network of blood centers across the nation who have committed to join together to be prepared for mass transfusion disasters that may strike. These organizations have joined together to establish an emergency blood supply for use in disaster situations. Blood Centers in the group have committed to collecting extra blood donations, on a rotating basis being “on-call,” to respond to a BERC activation. Currently, BERC can provide up to 150 units of blood on a moment’s notice.

In many disasters and critical-need scenarios – like a mass shooting, natural disaster or large-scale car crash – much blood is needed immediately. With current donation rates nationally, most blood centers don’t have enough blood on their shelves to handle these types of disasters and are forced to request blood units from neighboring blood collectors. By joining BERC, we will have access to a blood supply which is readily available without delays or uncertainty.