A blood distribution problem with new transportation options - an application for the Turkish Red Crescent

This paper considers the blood distribution problem in the Central Anatolian Regional Blood Centre of the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) and proposes several demand satisfaction options considering the irradiation centres, urgent demands, and product availability. Our aim is to maximise the total weighted blood demand satisfaction. To address the problem, we develop a mixed integer linear programming model and propose a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA). The results of our experiments have revealed that the mathematical model cannot handle even small sized problem instances in reasonable times; however, the hybrid genetic algorithm is capable of handling complex daily operations of the Turkish Red Crescent.