During the grand opening of Shepeard Community Blood Center's Aiken facility, Aaron Storer gives blood as Ric Ange, a licensed practical nurse, checks his blood pressure. Dozens of people gave blood Thursday. RON COCKERILLE/STAFF

The center in the Farmer's Furniture shopping center on Pine Log Road replaces the temporary quarters Shepeard had occupied near the SRP Federal Credit Union on Whiskey Road.

About 35 people had donated blood at the new location as of 3 p.m. Thursday, said Susan Edwards, a donor recruiter for Shepeard.

The center's hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays.

The new center began taking donations in July, but when many people rushed to donate blood after last week's attacks in New York and Washington, the center extended its business hours Tuesday and Wednesday.

''This may be our official grand opening, but to me the real opening was last week,'' Ms. Edwards said.

Some people who donated blood Thursday said they did so because of the attacks.

''I think because of the tragedies in New York we have a greater sense of need to donate blood,'' said Audubon Brink, of Aiken, as she sat giving blood.

The blood is sent to Augusta and Shepeard's Wrightsboro Road center for storage and then used in area hospitals, including Aiken Regional Medical Centers.

Aiken Mayor Fred Cavanaugh and Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie Young came to the center to cut the ceremonial ribbon Thursday. They said both governments were happy to see the center operating.

Don Morris, who sits on the Shepeard advisory board in Aiken, said the center will have to wait for more donors to open full time.

''We can open up full time when we get enough people to warrant it,'' he said.

Reach Matthew Boedy at (803) 648-1395 or mboedy@augusta.com.