Community leaders aim to end blood shortages in the Kansas City region, encouraging residents to donate once per season in 2024
KANSAS CITY, MO – Community Blood Center (CBC) has teamed up with elected officials and hospital leaders to celebrate National Blood Donor Month, encouraging blood donations and aiming to end blood shortages in the region. A joint press conference will be held on Friday, January 5th at 10:00am at Community Blood Center (4040 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111). Several community leaders are slated to speak, and Mayor Quinton Lucas will present a proclamation on behalf of Kansas City.
More than 50 years ago, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation designating January as National Blood Donor Month. The annual observance is meant to honor voluntary blood donors and encourage more people to give blood at a time when more blood is needed. The weeks following the holiday season are always difficult for the blood supply as school breaks, holiday travel, seasonal illness and cold weather often contribute to fewer donations. Hospitals and patients rely upon a steady flow of volunteer donors, but the past few years have brought chronic blood shortages nationwide. To combat this, community leaders are challenging residents to donate at least once per season in 2024.
Invited media will be able to film remarks from local elected officials, hospital leaders and CBC representatives. There will also be opportunities to secure interviews and film several elected officials and hospital leaders donating blood on camera following the press conference.
WHO:
- Mayor Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City, MO
- Missouri State Senator Lauren Arthur
- Missouri State Representatives Ashley Aune, Patty Lewis, Emily Weber, and Aaron Crossley
- Kansas State Representative Chris Croft
- Children’s Mercy President & CEO, Paul Kempinski
- North Kansas City Hospital CEO, Dr. Stephen Reintjes
- University Health Medical Director, Dr. Mark Steele
- AdventHealth CEO, Sam Huenergardt and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lisa Hays
- St. Joseph Medical Center CEO, Jodi Fincher
- Community Blood Center Leadership
WHEN: January 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Community Blood Center, 4040 Main St, Kansas City, MO 64111