Kentucky Blood Center Offering Donors Chance to Help with Flood Relief Efforts Aug. 9, 2022

Donors can help blood supply and KBC will make $5 donation to flood relief in Eastern Kentucky

Eky Flood Efforts

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center is offering local donors with the chance to double their impact this week. Donors can visit any KBC donor center or mobile blood drive between Aug. 10-17 to boost the critically low blood supply and help our neighbors in Eastern Kentucky. If a donor chooses to pass on their KBC thank you T-shirt, the blood center will make a $5 donation to flood relief efforts being made by the Pikeville Medical Center Foundation and the ARH Foundation.

Kentucky Blood Center serves hospitals throughout Kentucky, including many hospitals in the areas impacted by last week’s record flooding and devastation. The nonprofit and its employees quickly banded together to provide $15,000 worth of assistance by way of financial contributions and a large delivery of supplies to help with recovery efforts. The community organization is now offering its donor base with the chance to contribute.

“Our hearts are hurting for our neighbors, and this disaster has impacted many members of our team in one way or another,” said Bill Reed, president and CEO of Kentucky Blood Center. “We know that many folks want to do something to help and this is a great way to help those impacted by the flooding while also helping provide an ample supply of blood as we continue to see a decline in donations and increased use of blood at hospitals throughout Kentucky.”

Blood centers across the country have faced unprecedented shortages of blood throughout the pandemic, and the summer months always see a drop in donations. With an increase in usage by the 70-plus Kentucky hospitals served by KBC, the nonprofit has found itself at an urgent or critical need throughout the summer months.

Donors can take part in this unique opportunity to “give and give again” by visiting any of KBC’s eight donor centers or a mobile blood drive in their area. Appointments can be made online at kybloodcenter.org or by calling 800.775.2522. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.

All donors 18 and older who register now through Sept. 10 will have the chance to win a 2022 Toyota RAV4.

Blood donations help KBC supply blood to local hospitals for cancer treatments, premature births, car accidents, diseases, surgeries, and more. One donation can save up to three lives, and one in four people will need a transfusion at some point in their life.

Blood 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

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About Kentucky Blood Center

Celebrating nearly 55 years of saving lives in Kentucky, KBC is the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process, and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky. KBC provides services in 90 Kentucky counties and has donor centers in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, Pikeville, Somerset, and the Tri-County area.