Blood donors help Kentucky patients
Cancer patients often require blood transfusions to help rebuild their blood supply during cancer treatments. They depend on the generosity of blood donors to support them on their road to recovery. Area donors are invited to give so others may live at the upcoming Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) blood drive where they will receive a black short-sleeve Straight Outta Kentucky T-shirt:
Whitley City Elementary School
Mon., Apr. 4 from 2 – 6 pm in the library at 2819 North Hwy 27.
To schedule a donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522. Walk-ins are also welcome. Blood donors must be 17-years-old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo 1.0. and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.
Founded nearly 50 years ago, Kentucky Blood Center 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 hospitals.
All blood that is donated with KBC is returned to the Beaumont Donor Center where it is processed, prepared and stored for shipment to Kentucky hospitals.
Blood needs are ongoing. Red cells last only 42 days and must be continually replenished to adequately support Kentucky hospitals. Statistics show that one in seven hospital patients will require blood transfusions during their stay. However, only 37 percent of the population is eligible to donate blood and less than 10 percent does. All blood types are needed, and there is a particular need for type 0 negative blood since it is the “universal donor” and needed in emergencies when the patient’s blood type is unknown.
The blood already on the shelf is the blood used in an emergency. That’s why KBC is always encouraging people to donate blood.
