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LEXINGTON — The need for blood and blood donors doesn’t slow down during the winter. Cancer treatments, premature births, car accidents, diseases and surgeries continue. Blood donations, however, frequently decrease due to school cancellations, weather-related travel issues and cold and flu season.

Kentucky Blood Center (KBC) is inviting generous donors to help local patients by giving at the blood drive scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 16 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Stanford Christian Church. The blood drive is being held in the Fellowship Hall in the basement of the church at 200 East Main Street in downtown Stanford.

As a thank you, donors will receive a KBC hoodie to keep them warm this winter.

Blood donors must be at least 17-years-old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, show a photo I.D. and meet additional requirements. Sixteen-year-old donors must have a signed parental permission slip, found at kybloodcenter.org.

Walk-ins are welcome. To schedule a donation, visit kybloodcenter.org or call 800.775.2522.