Appointments Critical During COVID-19 Crisis
LEXINGTON, Ky. – In an effort to maintain an adequate blood supply for 70-plus Kentucky hospitals and keep donor safety at the forefront of operations, Kentucky Blood Center is expanding its donor center hours, effective immediately, and is urging donors to make appointments. These two steps will help ensure that social distancing is possible at all donor centers and mobile blood drives, and will allow KBC to collect enough blood to supply its hospital partners.
Kentucky Blood Center is opening all six of its donor centers from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturdays until at least April 11 to better accommodate those wishing to donate blood. To keep donors safe and six feet apart, the nonprofit is strongly discouraging walk-in blood donors during this time at donor centers and mobile blood drives.
Donors can make an appointment online by visiting kybloodcenter.org and selecting the donor center they would like to visit. Appointments can also be made by calling 800-775-2522. KBC has two donor centers in Lexington, two in Louisville and locations in Pikeville and Somerset.
Additionally, donors are encouraged to complete their health history screening questions online on the day of their appointment using QuickPass at kybloodcenter.org. This gives the donor a chance to complete a step which would normally happen at the donor center or mobile blood drive prior to leaving home or work.
“The response from donors in the past week has been remarkable,” Martha Osborne, Vice President of Marketing for Kentucky Blood Center said. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the number of people willing to come out and roll up their sleeves to save lives in the face of a national crisis. We know that this type of support must be sustained over the long-term as we continue to provide critically needed blood products to hospitals throughout this pandemic.”
Blood donation continues to be important and safe for donors. Healthy individuals should donate blood when they can and as often as they are eligible. KBC continues to put donors’ health and well-being at the forefront of operations. Extra steps have been added to protect donors, staff, and the communities served, including frequently sanitizing surfaces and distancing donors during the blood donation process. If you have questions pertaining to eligibility, please call 800-775-2522.
Appointments are needed for mobile blood drives as well. A number of community blood drives remain scheduled in the weeks ahead. In addition, KBC has worked with community partners to add several pop-up blood drives to assist with the urgent need. Recently added drives include:
- Wednesday, March 25 – Kroger at Tates Creek Center in Lexington (KBC Bloodmobile) – Noon – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 25 – First Church of God in Mount Sterling (Student Center) – Noon – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 25 – St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead (KBC Bloodmobile) – 7 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursday, March 26 – St. Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead (KBC Bloodmobile) – 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, March 27 – Vanceburg United Methodist Church in Vanceburg (Fellowship Hall) – 1:30 – 6 p.m.
For the most current listing of blood drives and to make your appointment and complete your QuickPass, visit www.kybloodcenter.org. If your business or community is interested in hosting a blood drive to help with the urgent need, please call us at 800-775-2522.
KBC is monitoring information about the Coronavirus and will take additional steps as necessary.