Kentucky Blood Center officials are dealing with what’s being termed a record number of blood drive cancellations. Director of Marketing Mandy Brajuha said over the next 3 weeks more than 40 blood drives have been cancelled and more cancellations are likely. She noted that’s primarily because of closed schools and universities.
And Brajuha noted it’s a national issue with the spread of the coronavirus. “There’s also some sharing that can happen of blood resources from one blood center to another, but if we’re all in the same predicament, obviously we don’t want to get to the point where we’re having to tell the hospitals that we don’t have blood for them. And that’s why is really important, if you’re healthy, if you’re eligible to donate, please come out to donate,” said Brajuha.
There are six donor centers across Kentucky. Two each in Louisville and Lexington and one apiece in Somerset and Pikeville. Brajuha said officials are looking to expand hours next week at these facilities. And the Blood Center official says there’s no known transmittal of the coronavirus through blood.
Brajuha noted it’s important that if you’re not feeling well, don’t donate. She said steps are being taken at blood centers to help protect those donating blood. Currently, Brajuha added blood center officials anticipate losing over 2000 units of blood due to blood drive cancelations over the next couple of weeks.
