Between the start of a new year and National Blood Donor Month in January, there’s no time like the present to donate blood and save local lives.
An upcoming Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) blood drive in Williamsburg next week will offer donors the opportunity to celebrate the gift of life by giving blood. As a thank you for blacking out blood shortages, donors will receive an all-black hoodie (while supplies last).
The blood drive will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 2 – 4:30 p.m. at the KBC Bloodmobile, which will be parked outside the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Commission. It is located at 650 S. 10th Street, Williamsburg.
The start of the new year means it is winter, which is a difficult time on the blood supply. Weather-related cancellations and an uptick in illnesses during the winter months can hamper collections. Proactive blood donation ensures a healthy blood supply for local patients at KBC’s 70-plus hospitals.
Blood donated at KBC stays local to aid patients for a wide range of treatments, including cancer, trauma, sickle cell, organ transplants, surgeries and more.
Statistics show that one in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, and that one in seven people admitted to a hospital receive blood.
Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in 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.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule a donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call (800) 775-2522.
KBC is the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky, and has been saving local lives since 1968. KBC provides services in 90 Kentucky counties and has donor centers in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, Pikeville, Somerset and the Tri-County area (Corbin).
