Governor Laura Kelly Hosts Lifesaving Blood Drive at Kansas State Capitol
50 Units Collected to Help Local Patients; Capitol Drives Near 1,000-Donation Milestone
TOPEKA, KS (July 23, 2025) – Kansas Governor Laura Kelly once again stepped up to support the region’s blood supply, hosting her 12th blood drive at the State Capitol in partnership with Community Blood Center (CBC). The event collected 50 units of blood, enough to help more than 150 patients, and pushed the long-running Capitol blood drive series closer to a major milestone: 1,000 total donations.
While the drive fell just short of the 100 units needed to officially cross the 1,000-donation threshold, organizers are celebrating the impact made and are already looking ahead to the next opportunity to make history.
“Blood donations help patients of all ages, every single day, multiple times a day. The importance of blood donations to saving lives cannot be overstated,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “As we approach 1,000 total donations collected at the Kansas State Capitol, I want to reaffirm our commitment to doing our part to help those in need.”
Since Capitol drives began in 2005, 975 donations have been collected. Nearly than 700 of those have come during Governor Kelly’s administration. In recognition of her continued leadership, Community Blood Center recently honored her team with the Top Government Blood Drive Award.
This year’s drive came at a crucial time, as the region faces dangerously low levels of type O blood amid the typical summer shortage. Hospitals continue to see an increase in trauma cases and emergency room visits, many of which require immediate blood transfusions. Nearly one in four trauma patients will need blood as part of lifesaving care.
Community Blood Center and the Governor’s Office remain committed to hitting the 1,000-donation milestone, and invite all eligible Kansans to be part of that moment at the next Capitol blood drive scheduled on Monday, September 29 from 10am – 3pm. Make your appointment here.
Visit savealifenow.org or call 877.468.6844 to make an appointment and learn more about donation eligibility.