Blood Donations Needed Before 4th of July June 21, 2016

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center is urging the community to donate soon to help prevent blood shortages later this summer.

It’s not unusual to see a dramatic dip in the supply of all blood types at this point in the summer, and Kentucky Blood Center’s forecast for blood donations shows a decline by mid-July of about 300 units below optimum level.

“The days leading up to the 4th of July are some of the most critical days each year,” said Martha Osborne, Kentucky Blood Center’s Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment.

“During the summer months, high schools and colleges are on recess and not sponsoring the large blood drives like they do during the school year, and by the end of June family vacations start impacting donor availability. But the need for blood doesn’t stop in the summer. Car and boating accidents, surgeries, cancer therapies and trauma continue, and when those occur, blood components must be ready and waiting on the shelves,” said Osborne.

To help encourage donations June 22 - July 4, the blood center is offering donor center donors two movie passes while those who give on mobile blood drives will get a $10 gift card. They will also be automatically entered to win a Toyota Tacoma 4X4. The Toyota giveaway runs June 1-Aug. 31.

To make an appointment to give at a donor center (listed below) or mobile blood drive, visit kybloodcenter.org.