BloodCenter of Wisconsin

BloodCenter of Wisconsin was founded by the Junior League of Milwaukee with the support of the Milwaukee County Medical Society and the Hospital Council of Greater Milwaukee. It was September, 1947. With the help of 175 volunteers, the Junior League Blood Center opened at 925 West Wells Street. Tibor J. Greenwalt, M.D., was recruited to become BloodCenter's first Medical Director.

The importance of the proposed blood, plasma and serum center is such that it can affect every Milwaukee man, woman and child who may visit a doctor. The center would be set up to service all Milwaukee hospitals. It would be operated as a civic enterprise for the benefit of the people in Milwaukee County. One of the most thrilling aspects of this idea is its limitless chances for development.”

“Of prime importance is the opportunity for research which such a center would afford. Its facilities would be available to qualified persons in this field. It is not at all impossible that, having set up a center of this kind, we might eventually build a foundation for research which would be unexcelled anywhere.”