National Blood Donor Month 2017 at KBC Jan. 12, 2017

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky blood and platelet donors save lives at Kentucky Blood Center blood drives and donor centers every day. Blood donated by these generous volunteer donors stays in Kentucky to help Kentucky patients.

National Blood Donor Month, which has been observed in January since 1970, has a goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during the winter, a time of year that can be very difficult for blood collection. Winter weather can negatively impact the ability of people to get to blood drives or donor centers, and the cold and flu season can eliminate many donors from giving. Surgeries, childbirth, cancer treatments and traumas, however, continue no matter the season or the weather.

KBC appreciates blood donors throughout the year, and provides thank you items for each donor every time he or she gives. Currently, KBC has T-shirts for anyone who registers to donate.

January 23-27 is Big Blue Slam, the annual blood battle between Kentucky and Florida fans. Donors that week will receive a long-sleeve black T-shirt and a chance to win a pair of tickets to the NCAA Regionals in Indianapolis in March. The Pikeville Donor Center will be open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday during Slam week, and there will be a number of blood drives throughout the region. Wildcat fans may also want to donate at the Rupp Arena Blood Drive 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Donors will get to take some shots on the court before giving blood, and no appointments are necessary. 

For more information about Big Blue Slam or to find donation locations, donors can call 800.775.2522. No appointments are necessary.

Blood donors must be 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, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.

For more information about KBC and blood donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.

Founded nearly 50 years ago, KBC is the largest independent, full-service, non-profit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky.