By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The need for blood donations does not stop, not even during a global pandemic.
Since the pandemic hit the U.S., the Red Cross has had to cancel many blood drives. The need for blood is constant, Jan Hale, Red Cross external communications manager, said. The shelf life for blood is only 42 days.
Although blood donations are picking up, she said she is concerned some donors may be hesitant to donate for fears of COVID-19.
Hale said the Red Cross is taking extra precautions in light of the virus, including requiring appointments, temperature checks, requiring staff and donors to wear masks and social distancing between donors.
You can make an appointment to donate and see a full list of Red Cross safety protocols by clicking here.
Donation appointments can also be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
The next blood drive in Hays, which is sponsored by Thomas More Prep-Marian, will be noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Big Creek Crossing Mall.
Hale encouraged donors to check the Red Cross website for drive locations, times and dates near you. Details, including locations of drives, are subject to change due to the pandemic.
Eliminating walk-ins and requirements for social distancing have also made it difficult for the Red Cross to process as many blood donors, Hale said.
The Red Cross is also in search of donors who have recovered completely from COVID-19 to donate convalescent plasma, a potentially lifesaving treatment for patients with COVID-19.
The Red Cross has seen demand for convalescent plasma more than double during the last month as the number of coronavirus cases increases across the U.S. Convalescent plasma products are now being distributed faster than donations are coming in, Hale said in a news release.
Convalescent plasma is plasma that is collected from patients who have recovered from an infection and have antibodies that might help fight that infection – in this case, those who have fully recovered from COVID-19.
The donor eligibility form can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid. Donors must have had a test confirming their COVID-19 diagnosis to be eligible to donate convalescent plasma.
Convalescent plasma donation can't be done locally because the equipment is not available here to process the plasma. A convalescent plasma donor would have to make an appointment in either Salina or Wichita.
All blood donors are now being offered free COVID-19 antibody testing. You will need a profile at redcrossblodd.org or on the Red Cross app in order to receive the antibody testing results.
The app is available to download in your app store for free for Android and Apple devices.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give blood, including convalescent plasma, Aug. 1-Sept. 3 will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Amazon. Plus, come to give by Aug. 31 and automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm, redeemable through the 2021 season.
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.
Blood drives, donation center
Other northwest Kansas donation opportunities in area are listed below:
Ellis County
Hays Blood Donation Center
208 E. Eighth St.
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fridays: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hays
8/4/2020: noon-6 p.m., Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St
8/5/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine St
8/7/2020: noon- 6 p.m., St. Nicholas of Myra, 2901 E. 13th St.
8/10/2020: noon- 6 p.m., St. Nicholas of Myra, 2901 E. 13th St.
Logan County
Oakley
8/6/2020: 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Buffalo Bill Cultural Center, 3083 US-83
Russell County
Lucas
8/7/2020: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., United Methodist Church, 332 N. Main St.
Russell
8/13/2020: noon-6 p.m., Fossil Creek Inn & Suites, 1430 S. Fossil
Sheridan County
Hoxie
8/12/2020: noon-6 p.m., 4-H Building, 1308 Main, Sheridan County Fairgrounds
Sherman County
Goodland
8/13/2020: noon-6 p.m., Methodist Church, 1116 Sherman Ave.
Smith County
Smith Center
8/3/2020: noon-6 p.m., VFW, 620 A. St.
Thomas County
Colby
8/15/2020: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Methodist Church, 950 S. Franklin