PRESTONSBURG, Ky. – Mobile blood donation drives save Kentucky lives by providing 65% of the blood collected by the Kentucky Blood Center. Almost 30% of that blood is collected through educational institutions, such as high schools and colleges.
To recognize the significance of these facts, the Kentucky Blood Center dedicated a new bloodmobile bus during a ceremony Thursday at Prestonsburg High School. The vehicle was made possible through a $100,000 grant provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
“As a result of this USDA Rural Development grant, there will be more opportunities for people to donate blood close to home, work or school and ensuring blood for our rural community hospitals,” said Susan Berry-Buckley, CEO of the Kentucky Blood Center.
Support for the funding also came from the offices of U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning and U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers.
The Kentucky Blood Center recognized the important role high schools play in mobile blood collections by thanking the students and staff of Prestonsburg High School.
“Last year, Kentucky high school students contributed more than 8,000 pints of blood that continues to live on in the Kentuckians whose lives they saved,” Berry-Buckley said.
Kentucky Blood Center provides blood for 62 hospitals and clinics in 67 counties in central and eastern Kentucky. Kentucky Blood Center operates donor centers in Lexington, Pikeville, Prestonsburg and Somerset.
To schedule a pledge to donate blood or to find a convenient donation location, call 1-800-775-2522 or visit www.kybloodcenter.org. Anyone age 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health can be a blood donor.
Dedication Participants
- Kenneth Slone – Kentucky USDA Rural Development State Director
- Susan Berry-Buckley – President and CEO, Kentucky Blood Center
- Rod Smith – Director of Marketing & Business Development for Williamson ARH Hospital, S. Williamson, KY
- Ted George – Principal, Prestonsburg High School
- Paul Fanning – Superintendent, Floyd County Public Schools
- Jack Hillard – Director of Development, Kentucky Blood Center
- Donna McClure – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell’s office
- Pat Wooten – U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers’ office
- Darlynn Barber – U.S. Senator Jim Bunning’s office
- Holly Scoville – U.S. Senator Jim Bunning’s office