The Kentucky Blood Center says winter is a difficult time for the blood supply with weather-related cancellations and an uptick in illnesses, so proactive donations are necessary to support the blood supply at the 70-plus hospitals the center supports.
The Kentucky Blood Center will be hosting a blood drive at Malibu Jack’s in Elizabethtown from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, December 27.
“This is a really special blood drive because we so desperately need blood after the holidays,” said KBC Donor Recruitment Specialist Brooke Nevius. “To give you an example, after last week’s Thanksgiving holiday week, we have a half-a-day supply of A- and O- blood on the shelf right now. People are busy. We get it, but we need to make that up.”
Nevius says the blood drive will help hospitals hit the ground running for the new year, and donors have a special incentive.
“Malibu Jack’s will give you a free attraction card,” Nevius said. “You’ll get a hoodie, a whole hoodie. It has ‘Blood Donor’ on it. They’re actually really nice, and we do this to encourage our donors to come in because it’s a very nice giveaway.”
Donors must be at least 17 years old or 16 with parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, show a photo I.D., and meet additional requirements.
Nevius says blood donated through the KBC stays local to aid patients during a wide variety of treatments.
“So many people don’t understand that now that we can spin our bloods and we have so many components, 25 percent of us are going to need blood at some point in our lives, and yet, we still have a problem because less than 5 percent of the population is donating,” Nevius said.
Visit www.kybloodcenter.org or call 1-800-775-2522 for more information.
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