Vacation season usually sees a downturn in blood donations, according to organizations like the American Red Cross. That also comes as local organizations like the Kentucky Blood Center say less people are giving blood overall.
The center says the COVID-19 pandemic worsened a steady downturn of donations in the past decade, specifically among younger people.
“We really lost out on that exposure of kids, that was the first time they're going to donate blood,” Kentucky Blood Center’s Eric Lindsey said. “So the concern going forward is okay, if we didn't get in front of you, for your first donation. Are we ever going to get your attention again?”
Lindsey says things are slowly improving, but there’s still work to do.
“Even as we've gotten back into places and are back close to the frequency of mobile drives we used to do, the dynamics there have changed,” Lindsey said. “The workplace has changed, where people aren't necessarily in the office like they used to be.”
The Kentucky Blood Center is focusing on youth outreach in the meantime. They’re currently running a promotion where blood donors will be entered in a giveaway to win tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Indianapolis.
Information on where and how to donate blood is available here.
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