National Blood Donor Month highlights need for blood in Kentucky amid low donor turnout

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Kentucky Blood Center is using National Blood Donor Month as a way to say thank you to those who volunteer to make life-saving donations.

KBC said it's experiencing a low supply of several blood types after winter weather and slower holiday collections led to low donor turnout.

According to the America's Blood Centers, 62% of Americans are eligible to donate blood, but only 3% roll up their sleeves. ABC also reports donations from those between the ages of 19 and 23 declined by nearly 32% between 2019-21.

"The need for blood is constant, so we appreciate this opportunity to thank all those who take the time to roll up their sleeves to save lives," Mandy Brajuha, with KBC, said in a news release Monday.

The nonprofit blood center said the need "is great," with someone in the U.S. requiring blood every two seconds. KBC said one in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime.

KBC supplies blood for more than 70 hospitals statewide, including UK HealthCare, Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph and Appalachian Regional Healthcare, and relies on donations for its blood supply.

Blood donations help with a range of treatments, KBC said, including cancer, trauma, disease, blood disorders, organ transplants, surgeries and more. Blood is unique in that it cannot be made synthetically, meaning hospitals rely on donated blood to help those in need.

To thank donors during this monthlong celebration in January, KBC is offering "Blood Donor" hoodies through Jan. 24 at all eight donor centers:

Middletown Donor Center
- 14002 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
- Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hillview Donor Center
- 5406 Antle Drive, Louisville
- Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Beaumont Donor Center
- 3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Pikeville Donor Center
- 472 S. Mayo Trail, Pikeville
- Monday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Andover Donor Center
- 3130 Maple Leave Drive, Lexington
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Somerset Donor Center
- 10 Stonegate Centre (Stoplight 16A)
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tri-County Donor Center
- 1466 W. Cumberland Gap Parkway, Corbin
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Frankfort Donor Center
- 363 Versailles Road, Frankfort
- Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

KBC also hosts more than 2,300 mobile blood drives annually in more than 90 counties. To find a drive near you, click here.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood at one of the KBC locations, click here or call 800-775-2522. KBC said appointments are preferred, but welcomes walk-in donations.

Council member pushes to close Louisville lounge after 4 people shot, including 17-year-old

Downtown New Albany bakery born out of COVID-19 pandemic to close this spring

Louisville police arrest 20-year-old man accused of shooting roommate on Christmas Day

Indiana State Police seize $7 million worth of cocaine during traffic stop on I-70