Urgent call for donors
The state’s blood supply took another hit last week as icy roads and frigid temperatures led to canceled mobile drives, shortened hours and a sharp decline in donor turnout. According to the Kentucky Blood Center, these disruptions resulted in the loss of nearly 800 donations — a significant blow given that each donation can potentially save up to three lives.
“We need donors to step up and help us dig out of a hole,” Mandy Brajuha, the center’s vice president of external relations, said in a statement. “With a break in the weather and several blood types at less than a day’s supply, we hope donors will act and visit a nearby location in the coming days. This will ensure we’re ready when the next round of winter weather hits the Bluegrass.”
The Kentucky Blood Center operates eight donor centers in six cities, including Lexington, Louisville, Corbin, Frankfort, Pikeville and Somerset. Centers are generally open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Pikeville center operates Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 472 S. Mayo Trail, Pikeville. You can find detailed hours for other locations at kybloodcenter.org.
This week more than 20 mobile blood drives are on tap across Central and Eastern Kentucky to accommodate donors.
The next mobile drive in Martin County will take place March 18 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Collier Center in Inez.
As an incentive to donors, KBC is giving all of them a limited-edition sweatshirt. On Monday, those who donate at a donor center will also receive a $10 Walmart gift card.
Donating blood typically takes less than an hour from registration to refreshments.
All donations remain in Kentucky, helping patients in need of life-saving transfusions for trauma, cancer treatments, surgeries, organ transplants and other medical conditions.
Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. A photo ID is required, and while appointments are encouraged, walk-ins are welcome. For more information, visit my.kybloodcenter.org.