September 23, 2020 – In recent months, hospital demand for blood
products has grown significantly after sharply declining this spring 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, Southeast Georgia Health System is hosting
an American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, September 25, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., at the
Foundation Office, 2463 Parkwood Drive, 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 to schedule a time that works for them. Appointments allow the American
Red Cross to exercise social distancing and provide good donor services.
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.