Kentucky Blood Center is Ready to Support
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center’s thoughts and prayers are with the people of Orlando after the horrific shooting there this morning.
“We understand the Association of American Blood Banks Task Force is assessing the situation, and initial blood needs for the injured have been met,” said Martha Osborne, Executive Director of Marketing and Recruitment for Kentucky Blood Center.”
“We are ready to support in any way we can our sister blood center, One Blood,” said Osborne, who added that having blood already on the shelves is crucial in emergencies.
To make an appointment to give at a donor center or mobile blood drive, visit kybloodcenter.org.
About Kentucky Blood Center
KBC, founded nearly 50 years ago, is the largest independent, full-service, non-profit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky hospitals.
All blood that is donated with KBC is returned to the Beaumont Donor Center where it is processed, prepared and stored for shipment to Kentucky hospitals.
Blood needs are ongoing. Red cells last only 42 days and must be continually replenished to adequately support Kentucky hospitals. Statistics show that one in seven hospital patients will require blood transfusions during their stay. However, only 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood and less than 10 percent does. All blood types are needed, and there is a particular need for type O negative blood since it is the “universal donor” and needed in emergencies when the patient’s blood type is unknown.
The blood already on the shelf is the blood used in an emergency. That’s why KBC is always encouraging people to donate blood.