With blood donations being critical during summer supply shortages, Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center must be creative in getting donors in each year.
According to Vicki Ellis, WKRBC Director of Communications, Development and Retirement, the need for blood hasn’t slowed, but the level of donations remains low in summer.
Two events were held in June, S.O.S. (Save Our Summer) and BBQ Chicken Day, where donors would receive a barbecue chicken, T-shirt and cholesterol screening — but Ellis said those donations were not nearly enough.
“We fell shy of our goal,” Ellis said, adding that the donated blood had already been used over the holiday weekend. “It carried us through the (4th of July) weekend, but now we are back at square one.”
Ellis said that there are several factors that contribute to the lower donation level – heat, summer sports and activities, and the inability to hold larger blood drives at schools.
“Nobody wants to risk feeling worse in the warmer weather,” she said of the heat.
She said WKRBC instead holds smaller blood drives and more often during the summer, though the yield is noticeably smaller – 25 to 30 donors versus significantly larger numbers in the bigger drives.
“We have to work harder to get more [blood],” Ellis said of summer events.
At the high school events, Ellis said that first-time donors play a major role and that because so many are giving, the collective audience doesn’t even think about it since it is on-site.
But in the summer, those same student donors are busy and don’t consider coming to the center to donate, so WKRBC has to come up with ways to get people in.
While it may not be on everyone’s minds, there are some loyal donors.
Bruce Thomas, for example, is considered a donor hero and recently earned his 10-gallon donor plaque.
Donating since July 6, 2004, Thomas said that it is a very simple thing he can do.
“The benefits far outweigh the time I spend being there,” he said. “I do it to help people and, for lack of a better reason, I do it to pay it forward.”
Ellis said this is a significant accomplishment and that out of 85,000 donor records, only around 75 people have reached the 10-gallon donation status.
Thomas’ wife, Connie, is expected to receive her 10-gallon donor plaque in the next 6 months.
Also helping the blood center’s cause is that in 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration lifted a ban that prevented veterans, service members and civilians stationed in specific areas of Europe between 1980 and 1986 from donating.
“Now we can recruit those donors,” Ellis said.
Ellis said that type O- is still the most needed and that getting word out about donation and local events is important.
“There are a lot of people that can’t donate, but they can help us out by reminding people and coordinating events with their workplace,” she said.
WKRBC has recently brought back the Super Donor event, and those T-shirts will be available for the foreseeable future, Ellis said. In July, donors can also receive a non-fasting cholesterol test with donation. A sign blitz is also happening around town to recognize community partners and signs are available at WKRBC.
Those interested in donating or being screened can call WKRBC at 270-684-9296 to make an appointment. Event times can also be seen on the blood center’s Facebook Page.
