Kentucky Blood Center back on UK Campus for week-long blood drive

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - The Kentucky Blood Center’s blood drive on UK’s campus comes right before summer when they said blood drives often take a hit.

The Kentucky Blood Center says one in four people will need blood at some point in their lifetime. They say these events are crucial in stocking their shelves and making sure more lives can be saved.

“I think it’s such an easy way to make your impact,” said Rohma Akhtar, a senior at UK.

“We want to continue to have a healthy blood supply and make sure that no matter what the need is, where the need is, and when the need is that we’re able to supply it,” said Eric Lindsey with KBC.

For the next five days, students and faculty at UK will have a convenient opportunity in between class or while on a lunch break to donate blood.

“This is your final chance here where we’re in your backyard,” said Lindsey.

This is the fourth and final blood drive that’ll be held on UK’s campus this school year.

Every donor will walk away with a t-shirt, coupons to Insomnia Cookies and Texas Roadhouse and a gift card to Starbucks.

“We need young folks to get exposed to this for the first time, and we need them to invest in this because we’re going to need them down the line,” said Lindsey.

Lindsey said their blood supply is good right now, but during the summer they know donations will decrease.

“We don’t want to try to take care of the problem when it arises. Let’s be proactive now and get donors in the door this week.”

Akhtar donated Monday for the first time. She said helping others is something she loves to do.

“For me to be able to do something that will potentially save someone’s life or at least make an impact on someone’s life, that’s one big important goal that I have.”

KBC said all of their blood supply stays local. Approximately 40% of it benefits patients at UK HealthCare.

KBC will be at the Gatton Student Center and Lewis Honors College through Friday from 10-5 p.m.

They’ll be at the William T. Young Library until 8 Monday night.

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