Blood Donations Needed During Covid-19
SPRINGFIELD — The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As covid-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
All individuals who donate blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross “We’re all in this together” T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
How To Help
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App or visiting RedCross Blood.org or calling 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at a blood 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.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Additional precautions — including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff — have been implemented to safeguard everyone.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts. For more information visit RedCrossBlood.org/ HostADrive.
Upcoming Drives
Joplin
May 20: 1 to 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2107 S. Indiana Ave.
May 26: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fellowship Baptist Church, 2827 E 32nd Street
Neosho
May 18: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Lampo Community Center, 500 East Spring Street
How To Donate
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information.
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.