Despite recent efforts to boost the blood supply, blood levels remain low in the Tennessee Valley Region, which includes western Kentucky. There is less than a 24-hour supply of all blood types combined, with even lower levels of specific blood types.Blood types O+, O-, A- and B- have fallen below a 12-hour supply, or the amount requested by hospitals in a 12-hour period.
Continuing to operate at such low blood levels could make it difficult to meet patient need at regional medical centers.
“We are this region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center. Because we treat the very sickest of accident victims, our population of critically injured patients consumes a tremendous amount of blood and blood products. In fact, just one of these patients could consume our entire supply of available blood in less than 12 hours. This is why it’s so important for people to donate blood and donate it now,” said Bryan Cotton, M.D., a Vanderbilt Medical Center Trauma surgeon. “The blood they donate could save the life of a friend, neighbor or even a family member.”
“When blood levels reach the critical stage, we run the risk of having to cancel or postpone surgeries. I encourage all eligible blood donors to make an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross so we can continue to meet the needs of our patients,” says James Beattie, M.D., Medical Director of the Clinical Laboratory, at The Medical Center in Bowling Green, Ky.
Blood Drive Center
The Paducah Donor Center located at 4635 Falconcrest Drive is extending hours:
Thursday, July 24 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, July 25 – 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 27 – 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
