Blood donations needed, antibody testing available

TEXARKANA — Blood donations are still needed more than ever as the number of donors has declined in recent months.

“When the pandemic first moved into our region, we saw a tremendous outpouring of support from our blood donors,” LifeShare Regional Director Elizabeth Cunningham said.

“Since then, we’ve seen a decline in the number of people giving blood while, at the same time, hospitals are beginning to address their backlog of elective procedures.”

Community Healthcore and LifeShare teamed up Tuesday to celebrate Community Healthcore’s 50th anniversary with a community blood drive at Community Healthcore’s College Drive location.

All donors received LifeShare JAWESOME Shark T-shirts, snow cones, vouchers for a Sonic corn dog and a DQ Blizzard, and were entered in drawing for two entrees from NEWKS.

Tuesday’s event was the first time a LifeShare blood drive had been held at the location.

“A lot of people have come out to give blood today,” Cunningham said. “They were eager to help do something good for the community.”

Through July 31, LifeShare will also be offering free COVID-19 antibody testing for all blood donors. No cotton-tip swabs are used for antibody testing. The test can indicate whether someone has been exposed to COVID-19.

Over the past several weeks, LifeShare has received many inquiries about antibody testing for COVID-19, Cunningham said. LifeShare is now able to provide this service as a way to encourage people to donate blood.

Anybody donating blood will be asked to give a medical history and have a quick physical. Snacks will be provided after the donation.

After donating blood, the fluid is replaced within hours and the red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating, according to LifeShare.

For more information, visit lifeshare.org or call 903-794-3174