Pikeville Medical Center (PMC) will be extending it’s reach to save lives by hosting a blood drive on March 8. The blood drive will be held on the 11th Floor of the PMC Clinic Building from 7am to 2:30pm.

PMC recognizes the need for blood donation. The hospital plays a vital role in saving lives of patients as services expand and more patients require care. In the past four months, PMC patients required almost four thousand units of blood.

“Blood donations are critical because it is the only way to maintain sufficient blood supplies for medical treatment,” said PMC Laboratory Transfusion Supervisor, Pam McPeek.

She says PMC receives all their blood supply from Kentucky Blood Center (KBC), a community-based non-profit organization that provides blood to Kentucky hospitals.

According to KBC, every two seconds someone in the U.S. will need blood. You can help save a life by becoming a donor.

“Our recent lab expansion, allows us to maintain an abundant amount of blood supply for the growing number of patients who require blood,” said McPeek.

Blood donations are necessary for a wide range of treatments. Blood is needed for trauma patients, cancer patients, surgery patients and many more.

The demand for blood is substantial. The hospital services an area of 450,000 people. PMC transfusion services stand ready at all times to treat the growing demand of patients who require blood.

“I always donate blood every chance I get. Working in the Emergency Department, I see a significant number of patients who require blood to save their lives,” said PMC Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner, AJ Ison.

He says it is a small opportunity to make a big difference.

KBC relies solely on volunteer blood donors to supply hospitals throughout Kentucky.

“We encourage everyone to donate blood. We can save lives through the donation of blood from our donors. You never know when you or a loved one could need blood,” said KBC Donor Recruitment Specialist, Alice Compton.

She encourages everyone to donate blood if possible.

“The need for blood is in constant demand at Kentucky hospitals. Without blood donors, there are people in our community who would not be alive,” said Compton.

Donating blood can take as little as 12 minutes. In order to be eligible to donate blood you must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, have a photo ID, be in good health and at least 17 years old.
All donors will receive a KBC T-shirt, while supplies last, as a token of appreciation.

For more information about the PMC blood drive, call 606-218-4952.