American Red Cross looking for health individuals to donate blood or platelets
May 18, 2020 11:07AM CDT
In times of need, people come together to support one another. The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employees.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming opprotunities to give blood in Austin include on May 20th at Austin Utilities from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Our Savior’s Lutheran Church on May 27th from noon-6 p.m. and on May 28th at St. John’s Lutheran Church from noon to 6 p.m. An American Red Cross blood drive will be held in Brownsdale at Our Savior Lutheran Church on Tuesday, May 19th from 1-7 p.m., and a blood drive will also be held in Dexter at the fire hall on May 20th from noon to 6 p.m. There will also be an American Red Cross blood drive in LeRoy at the Community Center on May 20th from 1-7 p.m.