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How to Donate Blood How to Donate Blood
(2 months later)
As the coronavirus spread across the country, the nation’s blood supply faced a dire shortage. Blood drives were canceled when businesses closed, and many people feared going into donation centers. Thanks to a nationwide response, blood banks have recently filled up again. As the coronavirus spread across the country, the nation’s blood supply faced a dire shortage. Blood drives were canceled when businesses closed, and many people feared going into donation centers.
Donations will still be needed, however. Now, as hospitals resume elective surgeries and some Americans once again venture out of their homes, the rate of blood donations has yet to bounce back to previous levels.
“We’re grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Jodi Sheedy, a senior director of communications at the American Red Cross. “But we don’t know when the pandemic will end. Blood must be continuously replenished.” Chris Hrouda, president of biomedical services for the American Red Cross, which collects about 40 percent of the country’s blood donations, calls it a “staggering” drop in supply.
While coronavirus patients themselves don’t typically require blood, transfusions are necessary for cases such as trauma, organ transplants, complications of childbirth and more. Red blood cells remain viable only for 42 days, platelets for five. “Our inventories have been cut in half,” Mr. Hrouda said. “We’re starting to get into a critical situation.”
“The worst-case scenario could be a bleeding young patient who was in a car accident, and there’s no blood,” Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of biomedical services at the American Red Cross, said last month. “That is the ultimate fear.” Here’s what you need to know about donating in a time of crisis.
Check the A.A.B.B. (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) locator, visit the Red Cross website, or call (800) RED-CROSS. You can also find information through the America’s Blood Centers website or call (202) 393-5725. Check the A.A.B.B. (formerly the American Association of Blood Banks) locator, visit the Red Cross website, or call (800) RED-CROSS. (Donors who sign up online in the month of June will get a $5 Amazon gift certificate.) If you live in New York City, contact the New York Blood Center. You can also find information through the America’s Blood Centers website or call (202) 393-5725.
If you can’t make an immediate appointment, don’t bow out! Make one for several weeks or months down the road, when supplies may dip again. If you can’t make an immediate appointment, don’t bow out! The nation’s blood supplies are likely to be in jeopardy for some time to come.
Almost any healthy person can, although requirements may vary by state. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration loosened some restrictions, including making it easier for gay and bisexual men to donate.Almost any healthy person can, although requirements may vary by state. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration loosened some restrictions, including making it easier for gay and bisexual men to donate.
Talk to your local center about eligibility guidelines. In most states you have to be 17 years old and above; with parental consent, some states allow donors to be 16. You must weigh at least 110 pounds. There are no standing upper age limits.Talk to your local center about eligibility guidelines. In most states you have to be 17 years old and above; with parental consent, some states allow donors to be 16. You must weigh at least 110 pounds. There are no standing upper age limits.
[LIVE UPDATES Read our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.][LIVE UPDATES Read our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.]
Dr. Claudia Cohn, director of the Blood Bank Laboratory at the University of Minnesota and chief medical officer of A.A.B.B., said in an interview last month that normally, older Americans are the country’s best donors. Dr. Claudia Cohn, director of the Blood Bank Laboratory at the University of Minnesota and chief medical officer of A.A.B.B., said in an interview earlier this year that normally, older Americans are the country’s best donors.
“They give a disproportionate amount of blood,” Dr. Cohn said. “Even though we think their risk is very low, we want to protect them if they want to be careful about going out.”“They give a disproportionate amount of blood,” Dr. Cohn said. “Even though we think their risk is very low, we want to protect them if they want to be careful about going out.”
That means centers are asking younger people to step up and donate more than they usually do.That means centers are asking younger people to step up and donate more than they usually do.
“This is not a blood-borne disease, that is clear,” Dr. Cohn said. “Blood itself is safe.” Coronaviruses in general don’t seem to be blood transmissible, as evidence from earlier outbreaks of SARS and MERS has shown.“This is not a blood-borne disease, that is clear,” Dr. Cohn said. “Blood itself is safe.” Coronaviruses in general don’t seem to be blood transmissible, as evidence from earlier outbreaks of SARS and MERS has shown.
“We completely understand people are hesitant,” said Dr. Young of the Red Cross. “We want to reassure the public that we’re handling this with an abundance of caution.” “We completely understand people are hesitant,” said Dr. Pampee Young, chief medical officer of biomedical services at the American Red Cross, earlier this year. “We want to reassure the public that we’re handling this with an abundance of caution.”
Red Cross blood centers have ramped up ordinary procedures, with staff members masked, gloved and conducting extra temperature checks, on both themselves and donors. All surfaces are repeatedly wiped down and donors are spaced six feet apart.Red Cross blood centers have ramped up ordinary procedures, with staff members masked, gloved and conducting extra temperature checks, on both themselves and donors. All surfaces are repeatedly wiped down and donors are spaced six feet apart.
“With centers taking extra measures to eliminate risk, it’s safer than going to the store,” Dr. Cohn said.“With centers taking extra measures to eliminate risk, it’s safer than going to the store,” Dr. Cohn said.
Yes.Yes.
“The recommendations are to shelter in place except for essential things,” said Dr. Young. “Public health officials recognize that blood donation is essential and they’ve made an exception for it.”“The recommendations are to shelter in place except for essential things,” said Dr. Young. “Public health officials recognize that blood donation is essential and they’ve made an exception for it.”
Yes, with some caveats.Yes, with some caveats.
Your donation might actually be extra-valuable. So-called convalescent plasma — drawn from donors who’ve recovered from the disease — contains viral antibodies.Your donation might actually be extra-valuable. So-called convalescent plasma — drawn from donors who’ve recovered from the disease — contains viral antibodies.
“Antibody therapy holds promise for the treatment of current Covid-19 patients and it’s being tested now,” said Eduardo Nunes, a spokesman with the A.A.B.B. “Most centers prefer you to have been symptom-free for 28 days before donating.”“Antibody therapy holds promise for the treatment of current Covid-19 patients and it’s being tested now,” said Eduardo Nunes, a spokesman with the A.A.B.B. “Most centers prefer you to have been symptom-free for 28 days before donating.”
You must meet certain other qualifications; for more information see the COVIDPlasma.org website.You must meet certain other qualifications; for more information see the COVIDPlasma.org website.
Christopher Flavelle contributed reporting.