The American Red Cross is seeking blood donations and holding several drives around southwest Michigan this fall. It also says those who give blood could be helping patients fighting COVID-19. The Red Cross has released the following:

Plasma from whole blood donations made through the American Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to help ensure coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions have needed blood products this fall.

In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, who could only give at one of approximately 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus. Now, whole blood and platelet donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center could be helpful in this effort.

“Donations that come back positive for COVID-19 antibodies now undergo secondary testing to confirm antibody results, and that enables the Red Cross to then potentially use the plasma from those donations for COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “With approximately 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them.”

The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to schedule an appointment, download the free 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.

In thanks, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners who come to give in October. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/unite. Additionally, those who come to give by the end of September will receive a free haircut coupon by email to participating Sport Clips Haircuts locations. More information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips.

About antibody testing

Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Donations are tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.

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.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

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, Sept. 23-Oct. 15:

Berrien

Watervliet

9/24/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Midway Baptist, 7517 Red Arrow Highway

Baroda

10/1/2020: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., American Legion Baroda, 92104 1st st

Niles

10/6/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., First Church of Christ, 2240 Yankee St

Saint Joseph

10/14/2020: 11 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., Caretel Inns of Lakeland, 3905 Lorraine Path

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Cass

Cassopolis

9/30/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road

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Van Buren

Decatur

10/9/2020: 12 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, 500 W. St. Marys Street

Paw Paw

10/12/2020: 1 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., Seventh Day Adventist, 60409 M-40

10/14/2020: 12 p.m. – 5:45 p.m., Paw Paw Lions Club, 227 County Road 665

Source: WSJM
Full story at: https://www.wsjm.com/2020/09/23/red-cross-blood-donors-can-help-patients-fighting-covid-19/