KBC is Currently in Critical Need of Four Blood Types
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Saving lives through blood donation is only possible with the generosity of local donors. Kentucky Blood Center is grateful for those who meet the constant need and is joining with blood banks across the country to celebrate donors during National Blood Donor Month.
The national spotlight on blood donation comes at a time when KBC is facing a shortage of blood. KBC is currently in critical need of four blood types (O-, A-, AB- and AB+), meaning there is less than a day’s supply of blood available to local hospitals for each blood type.
KBC is Celebrating Donors by Giving Away Wildly Popular Hoodies
To say thank you during this special month, KBC is offering donors its wildly popular hoodies now through Jan. 20 at all locations. This year’s hoodie features KBC’s community-focused “Live Local, Give Local” message on a heathered oatmeal cotton/polyester blend.
“We are nothing without our loyal donors,” said Mandy Brajuha, VP of external relations at KBC. “The need for blood is constant, so we appreciate this opportunity to thank all those take the time to roll up their sleeves to give blood. This is a great time of year to commit to donating blood more regularly or to give it a try for the first time.”
KBC relies on volunteer donors to supply more than 70 local hospitals with lifesaving blood products. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and one in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime.
The need is great, whether blood goes to trauma patients or to help people recovering from cancer treatments, undergoing surgeries, receiving organ transplants and so much more. Blood is unique in the healthcare ecosystem in that it cannot be synthetically made, meaning volunteer donors are the only way to provide blood to those in need.
According to the America’s Blood Centers, only 3% of Americans currently donate blood despite 65% of the population being eligible to do so. Additionally, less than 20% of blood donations come from individuals in communities of color, and donations from individuals aged 19-24 have declined by nearly 32% from 2019 to 2021.
KBC has not been immune to the national trends that have resulted in all-too-frequent blood shortages. Although KBC has experienced modest improvements in total donations in 2023, the nonprofit has not returned to its pre-pandemic donation levels.
Donating blood is as easy as it is rewarding. Whole blood donations take less than an hour from registration to refreshment and can save up to three local lives. And there are many opportunities to donate with Kentucky’s largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center. KBC operates eight centers in six cities across Kentucky (Lexington, Louisville, Corbin, Frankfort, Pikeville and Somerset) and hosts more than 2,000 mobile drives a year in more than 90 counties. Donor centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mobile drives can be found at my.kybloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/county.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo I.D. and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-olds must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
Are You Ready to Save Lives?
Donors can schedule an appointment at kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are accepted as space allows.
