Officials said blood is a constant need for medical facilities, with one in four hospital patients requiring a transfusion sometime in their life. Blood is used for a variety of treatments, including trauma care, blood loss caused by childbirth, and cancer treatment.
Eric Lindsey is the Director of Media and Branding at the Kentucky Blood Center. He said the importance of blood transfusions in cancer treatments is often overlooked.
“A thing that people maybe sometimes don’t associate with it is, arguably, one of the most common needs - cancer treatments. 25 percent of the blood supply nationally goes to patients fighting cancer,” said Lindsey.
Linsey said 40 percent of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. He added blood transfusions are an important part of chemotherapy treatment.
“Chemotherapy wise, it’s killing the harmful cancer cells, but at the same time it’s also killing the healthy red blood cells and platelets that you need. So, it often serves as aid and supplement for patients going through that,” said Lindsey.
The UK St. Claire Medical Center in Rowan County will host a blood drive Thursday, September 5, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. People who donate will receive a free “Fight, Fight, Fight Cancer” t-shirt. Donors must be at least 17, or 16 with parental consent. People interested in donating must bring a valid form of photo I.D., weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. More information can be found at kybloodcenter.org.