The American Red Cross is urging healthy donors of all blood types to give blood or platelets to ensure a strong blood supply for patients as the U.S. braces for flu season while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flu shot doesn’t affect blood donation eligibility
Medical experts are urging people to get the flu shot to avoid a flu epidemic on top of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Because blood can only be given by those who are feeling well, a severe flu season could create additional challenges to maintaining a sufficient blood supply for hospital patients in need.
Get the flu vaccine this year to help protect the nation from the virus but also to ensure that patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood products. There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free. There is no risk of transmitting the influenza virus after receiving a flu vaccination.
For those that have the flu, it is important to wait until they no longer exhibit flu symptoms, have recovered completely and feel well before attempting to donate. Donors must feel healthy and well on the day of donation.
Stay healthy this flu season and make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the 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.
In thanks for making time to donate, the Red Cross will send those who come to give Oct. 15-Nov. 11 a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. Plus, those who come to give in October are automatically entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card. Five lucky people will win. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Unite.)
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 22-Nov. 15:
Chase County
Wauneta
11/10/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wauneta Palisade High School, 214 W Wichita St
Deuel County
Big Springs
10/29/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., South Platte High School (MT), 610 Plum Street
Dundy County
Benkelman
11/4/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Dundy County Stratton High School, 400 9th Avenue
Frontier County
Eustis
11/9/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Eustis-Farnam Public School, 504 N. Ingall Street
Hayes County
Hayes Center
10/22/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Hayes Center High School, 500 Troth Street
Keith County
Ogallala
11/11/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 West 3rd
11/12/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ogallala Fair Building, 1100 West 3rd
Lincoln County
Brady
11/10/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Community Building, 121 North Main
North Platte
10/22/2020: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Dance Factory, 1620 E. 4th St.Suite 116B
10/23/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
10/30/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., North Platte Blood Donation Center, 1111 S. Cottonwood
11/9/2020: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., NPCC South Campus, 601 West State Farm Rd
Sutherland
10/26/2020: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Sutherland Public Schools, 401 Walnut
McPherson County
Tryon
11/6/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., McPherson County Fair Building, 527 Hwy 92
Perkins County
Grant
11/3/2020: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Perkins County Jr/Sr High School, 740 Sherman Avenue
Red Willow County
McCook
10/27/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., McCook Community Building, 1412 West 5th
10/28/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., McCook Community Building, 1412 West 5th
11/6/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Cornerstone Fellowship, 402 West 5th Street
About blood donation
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.