The Western Kentucky Regional Blood Center will have a second Bloodmobile by the end of the year, and it will be allow them to draw 7,000 more donors annually.
Owensboro Health and Impact 100 each contributed $100,000 to WKRBC to help pay for the bus. Other donations from Wal-Mart Giving and the Fraternal Order of Eagles 4168, plus an additional $20,000 from raffles held by WKRBC covered the cost of the $368,389 bloodmobile.
This bloodmobile will allow WKRBC to expand its mobile donation abilities and provide a safe and reliable way for individuals to donate blood.
OH is a signature financial partner in this project — a natural partnership since it will help WKRBC fulfill the blood supply needs for Owensboro Health Regional Hospital and eight other medical facilities in western Kentucky.
Currently, 55% of WKRBC blood donations are collected via blood drives held on the existing bloodmobile.
Officials said a second vehicle could help draw as many as 7,000 additional donors each year, and a one-time donation can save as many as three lives.
The new bloodmobile is expected to serve WKRBC and this community for as long as 15 years to come.
Many businesses in and around Owensboro host blood drives throughout the year to support the WKRBC. These donations are life-saving treatment for everyone from NICU babies to trauma and cancer patients.
Janet Howard, CEO of WKRBC, said the OH partnership was important for both parties involved.
Owensboro Health is the main recipient of the WKRBC blood supply, using more than 6,000 units of red blood cells, plasma and platelets in 2020.
“They know we serve the whole community — every man, woman and child is our responsibility,” Howard said. “Just like they are responsible for the health of our community. It was a win for them, a win for us and a win for the community.”
The current Bloodmobile, while still in good shape, has been in use since 2006.
It will take about 9-10 months for the new Bloodmobile to arrive and be ready for use.
WKRBC serves six hospitals and three air ambulances.
“We have direct responsibility for a quarter of a million people in our service area,” she said. “There is still a need for blood out there.”
OH CEO Greg Strahan reiterated that the second bloodmobile is a great thing for the region.
“We certainly recognize the need and giving blood in a timely fashion,” he said. “Giving blood saves lives. For every donation we can save about three lives. It’s wonderful to have a partnership such as this with an organization dedicated to maintaining our regional blood supply. The work this team does each day is vital to all of us.”
