Donations needed
LifeShare still in lifesaving business
The LifeShare blood donor bus continues to be a familiar sight, making its scheduled runs and making blood donation convenient in the Texarkana area.
According to Latoya Threadgill, LifeShare mobile specialist, the bus, crew and donors never slowed down, even during the COVID-19 crisis.
“We were running during the shutdown,” she said. “We were more limited, because some of our regular donor locations, such as schools and such, were closed.”
Threadgill said LifeShare has resumed a more normal schedule, though schools remain closed.
“That makes us more dependent on each stop we do make,” she said. “We have to work that much harder, with some of our traditional sources not available at this time.”
LifeShare technicians taking donations, be it at the LifeShare Blood Center or out with the bus, take extra precautions to ensure safety for both technicians and donors.
“We always wear face shields, gloves, and we sanitize areas constantly, same precautions we’ve always done, just more of it.,” she said. “Donors can wear masks if they wish. Because of current social distancing, we are limited in the number of donors on board the bus at once.”
The technicians try to make donation quick and efficient.
“From the initial questionnaire to completion of the donation process, it takes on average from 30 minutes to an hour. It depends on what kind of donation you are doing,” she said.
For those who wanted to donate while the bus was at Classic Auto Park and did not make it, Threadgill assures donors there will be more chances.
“The bus schedule is up at lifeshare.org,” she said. “Also, our center is open Monday through Saturday most weeks. Come on by and save a life.”
LifeShare Blood Center is at 4020 Summerhill Road in Summerhill Plaza.