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OneBlood will host a blood drive today, May 27 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at T.R. Miller High School.
“The high school there agreed to let us have a community blood drive,” said Susan Forbes, OneBlood’s senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations.
Due to the pandemic, many blood drives across the area were canceled. Forbes shared, “We haven’t been able to have our blood drives at our high schools like we normally do as everything is closed. Since March when we saw the school and businesses close, we had over 3,000 blood drives canceled.”
Because of the cancellations and lack of donations, the need for blood donors is greater than ever.
“The need for blood doesn’t stop and we depend on donors,” said Forbes.
“We have to get creative on where we take the bus. It is still not business as usual,” she added.
At the event, social distancing will be greatly enforced. “They need to go online to make an appointment,” explained Forbes. According to Forbes, all blood donations are appointment only. She said that since implementing the appointments, social distancing has not presented a problem.
Forbes also advised eligible donors. “People who have donated in March are eligible to donate again. It is important that people continue. The only way to prevent blood shortage is to make it a habit,” she said.
Donors participating in the event will receive a military appreciation shirt and wellness check-up. All donors will also be tested for the COVID-19 antibody.
“All blood donations are receiving the antibody test,” said Forbes. “That will help identify additional people infected. Geographically, that information will help aide the state in further opening,” she continued.
The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Donors will be able to see their results approximately 48 hours after donating by logging into their donor portal at www.oneblood.org.
“The testing brings many benefits. In addition to donors learning if they have the antibody, OneBlood will be identifying additional people who can be COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors,” said Forbes.
The entire community is encouraged to attend. “The community has always come together and rallied around blood donations,” said Forbes. To make an appointment, visit www.oneblood.org/donate-now. When registering use the code #35977. ID is required to participate.