KBC Offering $15 Gift Cards June 12 to Combat Low Supply June 11, 2023

LEXINGTON, Ky. – To counter the current low blood supply at the start of trauma season, Kentucky Blood Center will offer $15 Walmart/Sam’s Club gift cards at all donor center locations on Monday, June 12. It’s the second of many “Donor Appreciation Days” planned at the local nonprofit this summer.

Several blood types are in urgent need in the early weeks of summer, a traditionally tough season on blood centers when donor turnout typically decreases. Last week, KBC was in critical supply for four major blood types, putting local patients at more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky at risk.

“Unfortunately, historical trends are following through as we begin summer,” said Mandy Brajuha, VP of external relations at KBC. “We have seen an uptick in transfusions over the last month as collection numbers begin to dry up. Donors responded to our appeals last week, but we know it takes more than one good day to dig out of a hole, and one major trauma can put us right back in the critical position we never want to be in. Whether it’s coming out Monday to get a $15 Walmart gift card or the motivation to save lives, we hope Kentuckians can answer the call Monday and fill our donor centers.”

The beginning of summer also marks the start of trauma season in Kentucky, a period of months when good times and good weather usher in an increase in severe, life-threatening injuries. Traumas can have a major impact on the blood supply, often requiring more than 50 units of blood for a single patient.

Donors can schedule an appointment at a KBC donor center by visiting kybloodcenter.org/donate/donor-center-locations, clicking on a donor center link below or by calling 800.775.2522. All donor centers are open Monday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For those who can’t donate Monday but wish to help, KBC is also open those same hours through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome.

Blood collected at KBC saves the lives of patients in Kentucky who require products for surgeries, diseases like cancer, traumas, organ transplants, premature births and so much more.

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-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.