Supply Improving; Need Still Exists Aug. 12, 2013

Negative Donors Making a Positive Impact

Kentucky Blood Center's currently supply has reached critical levels for many blood types.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The supply of negative blood types has improved, but Kentucky Blood Center officials say it’s too soon to relax.

“We are so grateful to all of the donors who came in and gave blood when they heard our need," said Martha Osborne, executive director of marketing and recruitment. "We’ve had an especially good turnout of donors with negative blood types. The increase in O negative blood donors is particularly welcome because that’s the blood type doctors reach for in emergencies when the patient’s blood type is unknown. Only 7% of the population has O-negative blood, but this week more than 12% of those who donated with KBC were O-negative. If that trend continues, we’ll be in good shape.”

About Kentucky Blood Center

KBC, the largest FDA regulated blood bank in Kentucky, is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC relies on volunteers to donate 400 pints of blood per day to meet area patients’ needs. Over the last year KBC distributed nearly 130,000 blood components.