Center says virus is causing regional blood shortage

School closures force Community Blood Center to cancel drives.

Community Blood Center has launched a campaign to help avert a regional blood shortage as the community acts to halt the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19.

The closing of all Ohio schools has also canceled all scheduled high school blood drives and triggered cancellations by several corporate and business blood drive sponsors.

The total number of blood drive cancellations is more than 50 with a projected loss of more than 2,000 units of blood, and those numbers are expected to rise, according to the CBC.

The organization says it needs 300 donors per day to maintain the blood supply, but now faces multiple days with no blood drive activities due to cancellations.

“We remind the public that we also have the responsibility to save lives in hospitals across our region by maintaining a safe and strong blood supply,” CEO Jodi Minneman said. “CBC is mak

ing an urgent plea to the community to continue to donate blood and is urging blood drive sponsors to keep the blood drives they have scheduled.”

The Donor Strong blood drive will be held from Monday through Sunday at the CBC Dayton Donor Center, 349 South Main Street with the choice of a free Kings Island ticket or Cinemark movie ticket for everyone who registers to donate.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name.

Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their donor ID card.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch & blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions are invited to email canidonate@cbccts.org or call 800388-GIVE.

Make an appointment to donate at www.DonorTime. com or call 937-461-3220.