Give the important gift of giving blood
CHICO » It’s not what may be considered the perfect present for Christmas, but there are few gifts that mean as much as giving blood.
And this is the perfect time of year to do it, according to Robin Carter of Vitalant in Chico. Donations are down, thanks to the pandemic.
According to Vitalant, which operates the blood donation office in Chico, the pandemic has increased the need for donations as hospitals return to their scheduling of surgeries, and as donations have dropped. Additionally, blood is perishable so there is a constant need to keep supplies up.
Thousands of blood drives have been canceled by businesses or organizations, meaning the supply is much smaller. Nationally, 1,400 blood drives were canceled over November and December, according to Carter.
Carter estimates that the amount of blood donated here this year is about half of what it was in 2019. In addition, donations always decline about 25 percent around the holidays, she said, as people become sick, overlook giving because of the holiday rush, or travel.
Like other organizations, Vitalant has shifted to the online platform with having virtual blood drives.
For example, members of Chico’s Partners, Ambassadors, Leaders and Stewards (PALS program) who volunteer in Bidwell Park found a note about a virtual blood drive in their newsletter this week.
Basically, the members read why it’s important to give and then get a link to make an appointment.
Because service organizations
like this generally aren’t keeping their monthly meetings, which is often when blood drives are hosted, the way supplies are bolstered has declined too.
Make an appointment
In order to help with donation planning, donors are asked to make appointments, Carter said, which also helps space out the number of people that come to the center.
Vitalant does schedule mobile blood drives, sending out its bloodmobile with new pandemic- oriented safety considerations, such as sanitization and social distancing.
One of the next blood drives will be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Chico Mall near Dick’s Sporting Goods. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome too. However, walk-ins may have to wait until those with appointments are served.
In January, mobile blood drives will be in Chico, noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 3 near Chili’s Grill and Bar at Chico Marketplace parking lot; and in Oroville, 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 7 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, 2390 Monte Vista Boulevard.
Donors need to wear masks and be healthy —
no coughs, fever or sore throats etc. They’ll get a mini-health exam, which can be helpful to them. Donors who set up an online account see their blood pressure, cholesterol and if the antibodies test is negative or positive.
Since mid-June, Vitalant has been testing donated blood for coronavirus antibodies
and telling the donors as well. The antibodies develop after a person has been infected with the virus that causes coronavirus. Antibodies can provide against getting that disease in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.
Carter said the antibodies testing not only informs the donor but identifies and encourages those with antibodies to donate again.
Carter notes that donors need to bring photo identification. Donor recommendations include eating a light meal or snack about two and a half hours before giving, and start drinking water the day before. Donating takes about an hour.
An appointment to give blood can be made through an online registration process at https:// bit.ly/2EGVhRN or by calling the local office at 555 Rio Lindo Ave., Chico at 893- 5433.
Extra precautions are being taken by staff to protect staff and donors. Donors can expect to have their temperatures checked upon arrival, and are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. They are also asked not to bring additional people, like children. Donors must be feeling well and free of respiratory illness symptoms, including fever, to be eligible to donate.
The completed blood donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and confidential test results — positive or negative — are available confidentially online in about two weeks.
Carter encourages donors who haven’t given in a while to check the guidelines on Vitalant’s website www.vitalant.org because they have changed.