Flu season’s unsung victim: blood donations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – Even though spring is here, the flu season is still hanging around, and Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) is feeling the effects.

A number of blood drives have been cancelled because host sites – such as high schools and factories – have had too many sick students or employees to hold the drives. Donations in February and March are down 600 compared to the same time last year.

KBC is asking eligible donors to give blood soon to help maintain the community’s blood supply.

“Kentucky Blood Center is local and is the sole provider of blood for patients in Lexington and surrounding counties. With the flu season hanging on, we encourage anyone who is healthy and eligible to give blood soon,” said Martha Osborne, Vice President of Marketing for the blood center. “If you are a blood donor, please consider donating more often. It’s those regular blood donations that assure a strong blood supply all year for Kentucky patients.”

Donor centers are listed below, and mobile blood drive locations can be found at kybloodcenter.org.

•  Beaumont Donor Center
  • 3121 Beaumont Centre Circle, Lexington
• Andover Donor Center
  • 3130 Maple Leaf Drive, Lexington
    
• Middletown Donor Center
  • 12905 Shelbyville Road, Louisville
• Somerset Donor Center
  • 10 Stonegate Centre at Stoplight 16A
• Pikeville Donor Center
  • 472 S. Mayo Trail