American Red Cross - Blood Donations
Overview
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the American Red Cross has been experiencing a blood shortage due to rapid donation cancellations. In the effort to continue blood drives and increase the blood supply, the Red Cross is committed to ensure Blood Drive Safety. Additionally, the Red Cross has begun testing each donation for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. To join in the effort, we encourage everyone who is eligible and healthy to find a local blood drive and donate.
I’ve never donated blood before, what’s the process like?
The first thing you should do is search for blood drives in your community. Visit the American Red Cross website to locate these drives. After successfully finding a location in your area, schedule an appointment. Fill out the appropriate information and mark it on your calendar!
Note: There are a variety of donation options. We suggest starting with a whole blood donation before opting into another type
On the day of donation, you should arrive 15 minutes early to sign-in and read some material before you donate. You will be asked to show a form of identification. Next, you will have to fill out a health history questionnaire; which is both private and confidential.
For whole blood, the donation process takes between 8-10 minutes. You will either be seated or lying down. When approximately one pint of whole blood is collected, the staff will end the donation and bandage your arm. After you donate, you will be offered rest and refreshments. Before returning to your schedule, take a break and recognize the good deed that you’ve done!
For more information, visit the American Red Cross website about Donation Day Process.
Will I be notified of the Antibody Test results?
Yes. All donors can view the results of the Antibody test assuming they’ve completed a successful donation. These results can be accessed by logging into your Red Cross Donor account. Expect the results to be available 7 to 10 days after donation.
What Safety Measures are being implemented?
Existing Measures:
Wearing gloves and changing gloves with each donor
Routinely disinfecting donor-touched areas
Sterile collection sets for every donation
Preparation of donor’s arm with an aseptic scrub
New Measures:
Temperature checks before staff and donors enter the premises
Hand sanitizer is made available for staff and donor use throughout the donation process
Spaced beds to comply with the social distancing protocols between donors
Enhanced disinfection protocols
What if I test positive for SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies?
If you test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, your plasma is essential to assisting in the immunity of individuals who are infected or at high-risk of infection. In a therapy called Passive Immunity, your antibodies for the virus can be given to another individual as a treatment for COVID-19. Connect with American Red Cross, by clicking this link, to learn more about your eligibility and to donate your plasma. You are essential in stopping this pandemic!
For more information on Passive Immunity, visit this article.
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