November 16, 2020 – In recent months, hospital demand for blood products
has grown significantly after sharply declining amid the public health
crisis caused by coronavirus. Healthy individuals are needed now to donate
to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.
In response to the urgent need, College Place United Methodist Church is
hosting an American Red Cross blood drive on Monday, November 23, 1 p.m.-6
p.m., in the Social Hall, 3890 Altama Avenue, Brunswick.
Testing for COVID-19 antibodies will also be administered and results will
be offered via the blood donor app 10 days post donation.
Social distancing protocols will be implemented. 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 coronavirus, worldwide.
The Red Cross has implemented the following 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 masks to those who do not have one
- 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
Individuals who would like to donate are asked to make an appointment online
at redcrossblood.org and enter “Brunswick” to schedule an
appointment. 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.