The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage due to an
unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations in response to the coronavirus
outbreak. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate to help patients
counting on lifesaving blood.
Southeast Georgia Health System is hosting an American Red Cross blood
drive in the Kemble Conference Room, 3011 Kemble Avenue, adjacent to the
Brunswick Campus.
- Friday, March 27, 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
- Friday, April 3, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday, April 10, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
- Friday, April 17, 2 p.m.-6 p.m.
There is no data or evidence that the coronavirus can be transmitted by
blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases of transfusion
transmission for any respiratory virus including this coronavirus worldwide.
The Red Cross has implemented new measures to ensure blood drives are safe
for donors and staff, including:
-
Checking the temperature of staff and donors before entering to make sure
they are healthy
-
Providing hand sanitizer for use before and throughout the donation process
-
Spacing beds, where possible, to follow social distancing practices between
blood donors
-
Increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment
At each blood drive, Red Cross employees already follow thorough safety
protocols to help prevent the spread of any type of infection, including:
-
Wearing gloves and changing gloves with each donor
-
Routinely wiping down donor-touched areas
-
Using sterile collection sets for every donation
-
Preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood by visiting
RedCrossBlood.org, using the sponsor keyword: sghsys. Donors can also save up to 15 minutes
at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®,
donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire
online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete
a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at
RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.