The Community Blood Center is planning the 22nd annual Chiefs Week from Saturday, Nov. 23, through Sunday, Dec. 1.
During the week, community members who show up to give blood at the CBC donor centers will receive a Chiefs T-shirt and will be entered in a drawing to win Chiefs memorabilia, including a Patrick Mahomes jersey.
According to a CBC spokesman, there is a blood shortage currently in the nation, and the blood supply is at critically low levels. Reserves are below a seven-day blood supply.
“The Chiefs have been a wonderful partner, supporting our efforts to encourage more donors during a typically trying time,” said Kim Peck, senior executive director of Community Blood Center. “As people are busy with the upcoming holidays, we usually see a dip in the number of blood donations during the winter months. The nation’s blood supply has never been lower than it is right now. It is an especially critical time to donate and ensure that we are able to return to adequate levels of inventory.”
The CBC donor centers include one in Kansas City, Missouri, and two in Johnson County. Their addresses are 4040 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri; 10568 Metcalf Ave., Times Square Shopping Center, Overland Park, Kansas; and 16465 W. 119th St., Olathe Entertainment District, Olathe, Kansas.
Appointments can be made online at savealifenow.org. It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can be used to save multiple lives. CBC requires approximately 580 donors every day to meet area hospital needs. About one in seven hospital admissions requires a blood transfusion, and with a limited shelf life, supplies must be continually replenished.
One mobile blood drive to be held during Chiefs Week will be the Haley Bernard Honorary Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, at the Bonner Springs Fire Department, 13001 Metropolitan, Bonner Springs, Kansas. There will be a donor bus.
Other blood drives are scheduled in Wyandotte County after Chiefs Week. To see a list of the other upcoming blood drives or to schedule an appointment, visit www.savealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.