Blood donation remains essential amid COVID-19 pandemic | March 8, 2021
Blood donation remains essential amid COVID-19 pandemic
March 8, 2020 — A year ago, many things in the world paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need for blood never stopped. Today blood donations are just as essential, and the American Red Cross urges individuals who are healthy to make an appointment to donate blood.
For patients in the emergency room, fighting cancer or coping with a life-threatening illness, help can’t wait. Their health is reliant on the selfless generosity of blood donors. However, the blood supply continues to face challenges from the ongoing pandemic and extreme winter weather that impacted much of the U.S. last month.
More donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed now to ensure that patients have lifesaving blood products available for emergencies and everyday medical treatments. Schedule a blood donation appointment 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.
March is Red Cross Month, and the Red Cross is celebrating blood, platelet and plasma donors for stepping up to meet the constant need for blood amid the pandemic. In thanks for being a vital part of the organization’s lifesaving mission, all who come to give March 15-26 will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
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. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. 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. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
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 March 15-31
Perry
Crooksville
3/30/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive
Junction City
3/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St.
New Lexington
3/24/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Community Connections Center, 600 Senior Dr.
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Athens
Athens
3/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
3/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
3/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
3/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter House, 100 May Ave.
3/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
3/31/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.
Nelsonville
3/15/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stuart's Opera House, 52 Public Square
3/17/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rocky Outlet Store, 45 E. Canal Street
Stewart
3/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Federal Hocking High School, 8461 St Rt 144
The Plains
3/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd
3/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 North Plains Rd
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Coshocton
Coshocton
3/16/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Stret
3/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Coshocton Inn & Suites, 115 North Water Street
3/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street
Warsaw
3/16/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Warsaw Camp and Retreat Center, 818 Main Street
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Fairfield
Bremen
3/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bremen United Methodist Church, 205 Walnut St
Lancaster
3/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Crossroads, 2095 W. Fair Ave
3/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Johns Family Community Blood Drive, 343 E. Walnut St.
3/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Johns Family Community Blood Drive, 343 E. Walnut St.
3/31/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 343 E. Walnut St.
Pickerington
3/15/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW
3/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Road
3/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick Eastern Road
3/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., American Legion Post 283, 7725 Refugee Rd. N.W.
3/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW
Rushville
3/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lions Club Meeting Hall, 2960 Logan Thornville Road
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Guernsey
Byesville
3/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60330 Southgate Rd, Byesville, OH
3/31/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stop Nine Church, 60312 Southgate Road
Cambridge
3/19/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center, 7033 Glenn Hwy
3/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave
Quaker City
3/29/2021: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Calais Church, 29880 Miltonsburg Calais Road
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Harrison
Cadiz
3/31/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cadiz Volunteer Fire Department, 254 East Market Street
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Highland
Greenfield
3/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Adena Greenfield Medical Center at Greenfield Area Christian Center, 910 N 5th Street
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Hocking
Logan
3/16/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 258 E. Hunter St
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Licking
Etna
3/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street
Granville
3/15/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., RevLocal, 4009 Columbus Road
3/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway
3/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway
3/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Spring Hills Baptist Church, 1820 Newark-Granville Rd
Heath
3/16/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Grateful Life Tour - Indian Mound Mall, 771 South 30th Street
3/31/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St
Hebron
3/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 285, 108 Waters Street
Johnstown
3/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St
Newark
3/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
3/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 76 East Main Street
3/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
3/20/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Elks Lodge, 73 North Third Street
3/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Wilkins Community Building, 11152 Willkins Run Road
3/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
3/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA, 470 West Church Street
3/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Licking County Chapter House, 143 South 30th Street
3/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
3/30/2021: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd
3/30/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South
Pataskala
3/15/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
3/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street
3/29/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW
Utica
3/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue
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Madison
London
3/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fairhaven School, 510 Elm Street
Plain City
3/27/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Maranatha Community Fellowship, 6240 Lucas Rd.
3/27/2021: 7 a.m. - 12 p.m., Journey Community Church, 11100 Lafayette-Plain City Road
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Morgan
Stockport
3/17/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Stockport United Methodist Church, 3455 Market St., P.O Box 116
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Muskingum
Frazeysburg
3/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Meadow View Church of Christ, 6750 Raiders Road
Zanesville
3/15/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
3/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
3/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
3/30/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road
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Noble
Sarahsville
3/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Shenandoah High School, 49346 SR 147
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Perry
Crooksville
3/30/2021: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Crooksville High School, 4075 Ceramic Drive
Junction City
3/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., American Legion Hall, 110 Logan St.
New Lexington
3/24/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Community Connections Center, 600 Senior Dr.
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Pickaway
Ashville
3/18/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Teays Valley High School, 3887 State Route 752
Circleville
3/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street
3/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Center, 777 E. Ohio St.
3/31/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Amvets Post 2256-Circleville, 818 Tarlton Road
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Ross
Chillicothe
3/19/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St
3/25/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Tabernacle Baptist Church, 221 E. Main St.
3/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St
3/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St
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Tuscarawas
Newcomerstown
3/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 121 South College 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.
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