‘Tis the season to be giving with Kentucky Blood Center

Local residents will soon have the chance to make a potentially life-saving donation for someone and get a free T-shirt in the process.

The Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) Bloodmobile will be at the Williamsburg Tourism and Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 2, from 1 – 5:30 p.m.

“Winter is an especially difficult time on blood centers when the demand for blood increases. To ensure lifesaving products are on the shelves for local patients when they need it, Kentucky Blood Center is urging donors to give back for the holiday season by making a blood donation,” KBC officials wrote in a release.

Donors, who give blood at this upcoming drive, will receive a limited edition “Happy Y’allidays” T-shirt.

“Every drop counts at KBC, and it has never been more important than now after two and a half years of a low blood supply. KBC hopes to operate on a three- to four-day supply to serve more than 70 hospitals in Kentucky, but the nonprofit has often only had a one- or half-day supply for many blood types,” the release noted.

“Without a healthy supply, patients who need blood for everything from cancer treatments to premature births, surgeries, anemia, diseases, car accidents and more are at risk. One in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime. The need for blood is ever constant. Approximately 400 donors are needed daily to maintain a healthy blood supply.”

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo identification and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, which can be found at kybloodcenter.org.

KBC is the largest independent, full-service, nonprofit blood center in Kentucky. Licensed by the FDA, KBC’s sole purpose is to collect, process and distribute blood for patients in Kentucky.

KBC provides services in 90 Kentucky counties and has donor centers in Lexington, Louisville, Frankfort, Pikeville, Somerset and the Tri-County area (Corbin).