The American Red Cross is asking the public to be a superhero for patients by donating blood or platelets now to help address an urgent need for donors as COVID-19 continues to cause unprecedented blood collection challenges across the country.
As a special thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an authentic WONDER WOMAN 1984 movie prop replica package identical to those used in the film. (Details at rcblood.org/win).
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood—kids battling cancer, accident victims being raced into emergency rooms, and new moms with complicated childbirths. Unfortunately, superheroes are in short supply as only 3 out of 100 Americans donate blood.
While tens of thousands of donors gave blood in response to an initial blood shortage caused by this coronavirus outbreak, it’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation, and platelets within just five days, so they must constantly be replenished.
Upcoming donation sites in Portage County are:
- Garrettsville – 7/16/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., St Ambrose Church, 10692 Freedom Street
- Kent – 7/17/2020: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., United Methodist Church Kent, 1435 E. Main Street
In Geauga County donations sites are:
- Middlefield – 7/14/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 14999 South State Street
- Parkman – 7/18/2020: 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Rd.
Blood Donation during COVID-19
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arrival and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control public guidance.
Donors can 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.
