The Community Blood Center of Kansas City has declared a blood emergency in Greater Kansas City.
The center is asking the community to donate blood to help replenish the blood supply for more than 60 hospitals throughout the area, including eastern Kansas and western Missouri.
Currently reserves are below a seven-day inventory that is necessary to maintain a safe blood supply, according to the Community Blood Center. There was a drop in donations in April and May.
These low levels are particularly dangerous leading into summer months, when people are less likely to donate blood as schools go on summer break and families take vacations, according to the center. The best preparation for life-threatening situations is having blood on hospital shelves in advance.
“While blood donations tend to slow down in the summer months, the need does not,” said David Graham, executive director of CBC. “Right now, supplies are low and we need all those who are able to donate and help ensure that every patient and hospital has access to life-saving blood when they need it.”
People with all blood types are encouraged to donate, especially donors with O negative and B negative blood types, according to a spokesman. O negative blood donors are considered “universal,” and their blood type is needed most readily in trauma situations and emergency rooms across the country. B negative is a particularly rare blood type.
Community members are encouraged to find time to donate blood at a CBC donor center or convenient mobile blood drive, according to the Community Blood Center. Companies, organizations, and community groups are also encouraged to host a blood drive this summer to help rebuild the blood stock supply.
According to the Community Blood Center, persons may donate blood or platelets at a donor center; donate at a mobile blood drive; hold a blood drive in the community or at an organization; and educate others about the need for blood donations.
For more information on where to donate or how to set up your own drive, visit www.savealifenow.org or call 1-877-468-6844.
Upcoming Community Blood Center blood drives in Wyandotte County include:
Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 19 in the church Fellowship Hall. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.
A Community Blood Center blood drive is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 20 and 21 at the University of Kansas Hospital, Hixson Atrium, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.
Parkway Baptist Church, 12320 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. June 25 in the church classrooms. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.
Kansas City Kansas Community College, Room 2325, Jewell Center, 7250 State Ave., plans a Community Blood Center blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 11. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.
The Bonner Springs YMCA will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. July 11 at the Bonner Springs YMCA Classroom A, 2251 S. 138th, Bonner Springs, Kansas. To schedule a donation, visit www.esavealifenow.org or call 816-753-4040.