Blood donations needed throughout the Commonwealth: Here’s how to help

KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — In the wake of the devastating floods and heavy snowfall Kentucky has seen so far in 2025, many people need help.

As donations of food, clothes, and money pour in for those most affected by the weather, there’s also a critical need for blood donations.

“365 days of the year, blood is needed. But right now is a really big time of need,” said Eric Lindsey, Director of Media and Branding at Kentucky Blood Center.

Lindsey said a drop in donations this year had a big effect on the more than 70 Kentucky hospitals the center helps.

“We have estimated that we’ve lost approximately 1400 donations over the last month, which has a big, big impact on, on our blood supply and our ability to provide lifesaving blood products to our local hospitals,” said Lindsey.

He said a combination of the heavy snowfall at the beginning of the year and now floods have resulted in cancellations across the map, from the center’s mobile donation drives to people canceling their donation appointments.

“When you donate here at Kentucky Blood Center, one donation can actually impact up to three lives,” Lindsey said. “We’re talking thousands of lives potentially impacted, you know if we don’t make up those numbers.”

Kentucky Blood Center had a big push in January for the annual Big Blue Slam, where Kentucky beat Florida by nearly 100 donations.

Lindsey said it’s a perfect example of why being proactive about blood donations is so important.

But incentivizing or creating a little competition can only do so much. The real driving force behind donating blood comes down to the individual impact it makes.

“Ultimately, we know the thing that’s going to motivate people the most. It’s just that caring and understanding that this is ultimately going to save lives,” said Lindsey.