If you would rather donate blood than candy this year, The Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center would love to see you on Wednesday for Halloween.
The blood center will once again be celebrating its annual “Halloween Vein Drain.” This event has become one of the center’s most popular activities due to the many personalized touches and treats offered throughout the day.
“It is totally serious what we do here,” said Director of Donor Resources, Vicki Ellis, of blood donation and collection. “People call us bloodsuckers all year long. It’s the one time a year we dress up and we live up to it.”
“People call us bloodsuckers all year long. It’s the one time a year we dress up and we live up to it.”
Not only does every area of the center, from the lab to the donor room, to the administrative staff, plan out and dress in elaborate costume, the usual incentives are taken up a notch as well.
There are many faithful blood donors that find great joy in the snacks and creative T-shirt designs the blood center has to offer.
On Wednesday, each donor will receive a treat bag filled with candy, breakfast items (for morning donation), chili (at lunchtime) and a limited edition long sleeve T-shirt, while supplies last.
This year’s shirt design embodies the theme “Return of the Mummy,” and will only be available to the first 100 donors.
Ellis said, due to the popularity of the day, donors should expect to wait an additional 15-20 minutes, depending on the time of day. However, the blood center will do their best to serve everyone as they arrive.
“We try to treat everyone like they’re important,” Ellis said. “We’re thankful that you’ve come to donate; we don’t want to tie anyone up longer than we need to.”
Ellis said the end of October donation gives the center “a great boost going into Thanksgiving.”
“It’s kind of the beginning of the end of the year for us,” she added.
Those who donate on Halloween will then be eligible to donate again the day after Christmas. The WKRBC hopes those who participate in the “Vein Drain” will return a few more times next year.
The WKRBC “Vein Drain” is Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018 from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center is located at 3015 Old Hartford Road, Owensboro KY 42303 (270) 684-9296
