Save local lives – Topeka blood drive around the corner
KANSAS CITY (KSNT) – A local blood center is asking for your help to make a life-saving difference right here at home.
On February 29th, Topekans (and anyone else willing to make the trip) has the opportunity to make a huge difference with a much-needed blood donation.
Following the Chief’s Super Bowl Parade shooting, blood has been in high demand around the area.
On February 26th the Community Blood Center held a blood drive event with the City of Kansas City, looking to replenish what was used for the victims of the parade shooting.
Even without that horrific shooting, blood stays in high demand year-round. The CBC Spokeswoman told 27 News every day around this they need to collect about 600 units of blood.
“A lot of times in the winter we experience critical shortages and often blood emergencies,” Community Blood Center Director of Public Relations Chelsey Smith said. “It’s not lost on us that had this shooting happened even a couple of weeks previously, we would have been in a blood emergency. Our entire community was experiencing very low, a blood shortage, very low donations coming through the door.”
The blood drive happening at the Capital on Thursday takes place from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. – with Governor Kelly planning to donate at the start of the event.
Blood from this drive goes towards treating chemo patients, chronic diseases like sickle cells, those impacted by trauma or car accident victims, and so many more all here in the local area.
Smith says the CBC is the primary blood supplier to about 70 hospitals in the greater KC and Topeka metro area, including the University of Kansas Health System and Stormont Vail.
The CBC is recommending appointments ahead of the 29th but can take walk-ins on a case-by-case basis.
If you need another reason to donate, a free KC Chiefs T-shirt will be given to all presenting donors.
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