LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Blood Center is urging blood donors to come forward today and Wednesday in great numbers in order to avoid a significant blood shortage.
The blood inventory was weak before the wintry weather arrived and is now at risk of falling to unsafe levels without a strong showing of donors, according to Kentucky Blood Center officials.
“Eligible blood donors are encouraged to give today and tomorrow in order to replenish the blood supply,” said Jim Tinker, Kentucky Blood Center spokesperson. “Blood banking is truly a day-to-day business and weather does impact the supply. Our inventory was already shaky because of the annual decline in donors that comes with the holidays.”
Transfusions at the 67 hospitals and clinics served by Kentucky Blood Center donors have been steady. A scheduled organ transplant is expected to use more than 100 units of blood products.
Fewer donors turn out in bad weather and some blood drives have been canceled. However, there are a variety of blood drives still open to the public in addition to the permanent donor centers.
Tuesday blood drives open to the public:
- Morehead State University | Button Drill Hall | 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Forcht Bank (formerly Tri-County National Bank) | 401 Knox Street, Barbourville | 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Russell Springs Elementary School | 1554 North Hwy. 127, Russell Springs | 3:30–8 p.m.
Donor Centers
Lexington Donor Center
3121 Beaumont Centre Circle
8 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday
Somerset Donor Center
120 South Highway 27, Suite 4
10 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday and Friday
10 a.m.–7 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday
Pikeville Donor Center
685 Hambley Boulevard
Flat Iron Building, Suite 1
10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Friday
Prestonsburg Donor Center
200 North Lake Drive, (Municipal Building)
10 a.m.–6 p.m., Monday–Wednesday
Those wanting to donate blood can call 1-800-775-2522 or visit kybloodcenter.org for blood drive and donor center details. The Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for 67 Kentucky hospitals and clinics thanks to generous blood donors in 62 counties.