For over 15 years, the Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center has held a summer blood drive to help replenish their supply during a time of year that is known for blood shortage. Once referred to as Pump up the Volume, the Save Our Summer blood drive is held each year during the second or third week in June.
“This is timely for us — it’s designed to help get ahead of those summer blood shortages and ensure we are prepared,” said WKRBC Director of Donor Resources Vicki Ellis. “This is something we do to reach a goal of 300 donors over three days — we pool all of our resources to the center to do 100 donors a day here.”
In order to reach their goal of 100 donors a day, the Blood Center relies on the participation of several area organizations.
“It’s mostly successful because of our partners that participate at the Owensboro Police Department, Owensboro Fire Department, Daviess County Fire Department, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Independence Bank, South Central Bank, Owensboro Municipal Utilities, Kenergy and Atmos Energy,” Ellis said. “I have a point of contact with each organization, and each has committed to sending 25 plus donors over the next three days.”
With these group donors divided into the categories of law enforcement, banks and utilities, Ellis said there is often a little bit of friendly competition that goes on.
“Whoever gets the most, or recruits the most, gets bragging rights,” Ellis said, adding that the Center would like to have additional teams, but those participating would need to understand that the Center needs a commitment of at least 25 donors, which she said can be very difficult.
These organizations are not the only ones encouraged to donate over the next three days. The public is also strongly encouraged to visit the Center, and several incentives have been arranged as extra motivation.
Lunch will be provided at the Center each day, donors will receive a specially-designed T-shirt and there will be drawings each hour for summer-themed prizes, such as beach towels and fishing poles.
“Our shelves are vacant right now — we need donors,” Ellis said. “It’s a good time for us to pump up our supply. This is one of the best times to donate.”
Those who are interested in donating blood to the WKRBC may do so at 3015 Old Hartford Rd.
Donation hours for SOS are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, June 12 and 13. For questions about donating blood, please visit their website or call (270) 684-9296.
