Kentucky Blood Donors to Help Storm-Ravaged Texas Aug. 28, 2017

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky Blood Center will be providing blood components to storm-ravaged Texas and is asking Kentucky blood donors to come in this week to support Kentucky and Texas patients who need transfusions.

With the catastrophic flooding, Gulf Coast Blood Center in Houston has suspended operations. Community blood centers, like KBC, are stepping up to help. While the torrential rains and destruction continues, the need for blood also continues, especially for Type O because it is the blood most frequently used in emergency situations.

“The flood videos of the devastation in Texas have been shocking. Everyone wants to help, but we just don’t know what to do. This week we’re asking Kentuckians to make a special effort to donate blood,” said Martha Osborne, KBC Vice President of Marketing.

Kentucky Blood Center donor centers are listed below. To find mobile blood drives and donation information, visit kybloodcenter.org or by call 800.775-2522, ext. 3758.

Blood donors must be 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health. Donors must also show a photo I.D. with first and last name, like a state-issued driver’s license.  Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.