LEE’S SUMMIT, MO – Community Blood Center (CBC), local Lee’s Summit nonprofits, and Central Bank of The Midwest are partnering to combat the area’s decreased blood donor turnout in a third annual blood drive challenge on Thursday, January 23rd. Each nonprofit will encourage their communities to give the generous gift of blood donation.

As a thank you from Central Bank of The Midwest for the life-saving efforts, the business will be donating up to $1,000 to the nonprofits that have the highest turnout at the blood drive.

Participating nonprofits include:

Rediscover Mental Health

Pro Deo Youth Center

Pet Resource of Greater KC

The Peace Partnership

Coldwater of Lee's Summit - Community Director

Camp Quality Greater Kansas City

Hillcrest Transitional Housing

January is National Blood Donor Month, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and recognize the lifesaving impact of voluntary blood donors. Proclaimed by President Richard Nixon in January 1970, this annual observance remains vital to raising awareness and strengthening the blood supply during a critical time of year. 

The winter months present unique challenges for blood donations as holiday travel, seasonal illness, and inclement weather all contribute to making blood donations less of a priority. The recent winter storms have dealt a severe blow to the region’s already fragile blood supply, with hundreds of donations lost in just a matter of days, and many more at risk as the community continues to recover. To date, the Kansas City region has sustained a loss of more than 3,000 donations, and CBC is urgently calling on blood donors of all types, especially those with type O- and B- blood.

Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain periods of time. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit savealifenow.org or call 800.688.0900.

WHEN: Thursday, January 23rd from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

WHERE: Central Bank of the Midwest, 609 N. 291 Highway Lee's Summit, MO 64086

WHO: Blood Donors, Volunteers, and CBC Representatives

WHY: It only takes one hour to donate, and a single donation can save multiple lives. Roughly one in seven hospital admissions require a blood transfusion. Those in need include cancer patients, accident, burn, or trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and more.

To make an appointment for this blood drive, donors can visit this link.