When it comes to the commonwealth's current blood supply, there are some sobering statistics.
"The blood supply since July the 1st is down by 25% and when that happens there is not blood on the shelves to go ahead and provide the life saving products, and this situation ripples through healthcare, ripples through the whole entire system," says Kentucky Red Cross CEO Steve Cunanan.
It's part of a broader nationwide trend, with donors down about 40 percent over the last two decades, a trajectory the Red Cross says is unsustainable.
To help remedy the current drop in supply, the organization will be conducting a blood drive at the Capitol with the governor and first lady rolling up their sleeves.
Anyone wishing to give is being encouraged to go to redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS and register to give at their nearest location.
