A Call for Arms After Wintry Weather Impacts Donations
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Blood Center needs a significant increase in blood donations this week to meet patient needs and assure there is a ready reserve in the event of emergencies or further weather that impacts donations.
There is less than a one-day supply of Type O blood available to hospitals served by the blood center. There are surgeries occurring on Wednesday that will require the blood presently available.
“We need donors to come and give today. We really need to see new blood donors, too few people give regularly and reliably which is why we have shortages,” said Jim Tinker, Kentucky Blood Center spokesperson.
Transfusions at the 67 hospitals and clinics served by Kentucky Blood Center donors have been steady and patient needs are being met at this time. However, the blood supply is not at a level that can likely withstand the drop in donations that would come with additional winter storms that might occur in the next week.
Several school-related blood drives were cancelled Tuesday and again on Wednesday due to weather.
There are a variety of blood drives still open to the public in addition to the permanent donor centers in four cities.
Thursday blood drives open to the public:
- George Rogers Clark High School | 620 Boone Avenue, Winchester | 10:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Kain Family Ford | 425 South Laurel Road, London | 1:30–6 p.m.
- Harrison County Homemakers | Harrison County Extension Office, 668 New Lair Road, Cynthiana | 12:30–6:30 p.m.
Donor Centers
Lexington Donor Center
3121 Beaumont Centre Circle
8 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday
Somerset Donor Center
120 South Highway 27, Suite 4
10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday and Friday
10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday
Pikeville Donor Center
685 Hambley Boulevard
Flat Iron Building, Suite 1
10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday
Prestonsburg Donor Center
200 North Lake Drive, (Municipal Building)
10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Wednesday
Those wanting to donate blood can call 1-800-775-2522 or visit kybloodcenter.org for blood drive and donor center details. The Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for 67 Kentucky hospitals and clinics thanks to generous blood donors in 62 counties.