‘Your local blood bank needs you’
With fewer blood drives taking place, agencies seek donors Allie Clouse
The coronavirus pandemic has touched almost every aspect of daily life. Cancellations and shutdowns are designed to protect the most vulnerable among us.
However, it also has damaging effects for those most in need.
Blood drives across the country — from big to small — have been canceled or postponed in order to follow social distancing practices. Healthy donors may also hesitate to leave their houses for their regular blood donations.
“What we’re seeing is continuous cancellations,” said Tiffany Taylor, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Tennessee Blood Services Region. “And this is not the end.”
As of Wednesday, 204 blood drives and more than 7,974 scheduled donations in the Tennessee region have been canceled. Nationally, more than 7,000 blood drives have been canceled and more than 200,000 donations lost due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the American Red Cross.
“Drives are canceling every day,” said Caitlyn Mantooth, Blood Assurance marketing coordinator. “We want to be prepared, but we’re just not there. The blood we used today, we got yesterday.”
On March 17, the Red Cross issued a plea for more donors and told people they would be safe when giving blood. Taylor said it’s important for the public to know that blood banks are not included in the non-essential business closures enacted by “safer at home” orders or by Gov. Bill Lee’s executive order that prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people.
Staff members are trying to meet donors where they are with mobile blood banks and pop-up donation centers. Although there have been no known cases of COVID-19 passing from one person to another by blood, blood banks are taking extra caution by staggering appointments, checking donor temperatures, keeping six feet of distance between everyone involved and sanitizing regularly.
“If you’re feeling healthy, your local blood bank needs you,” Mantooth said.
Donations are always accepted, but as the spread of the coronavirus continues, more help is needed immediately.
“This outbreak is not limited to days. We’re going to face this for weeks, even months,” Taylor said. “This is a journey that is going to cause blood collection challenges for the foreseeable future, and we need the community to support when they can.”
How to give blood
Potential donors should go to a blood bank near their home to give. Information and resources about regional centers are below.
American Red Cross: The Red Cross has blood banks and drives across the state. A full list is at redcross.org/local/tennessee.
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood with the Red Cross by visiting Redcrossblood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center: This blood bank is based in Knoxville. MEDIC is hosting several blood drives in Knox and surrounding counties that have availability.
To schedule an appointment at a mobile drive or donor center, visit tndonor.org. You can also call to schedule a time to give at 865-524-3074.
Blood Assurance: Donors in Chattanooga and surrounding areas can find out how to give at bloodassurance.org, by calling 800-962-0628 or texting BAGIVE to 999777.
Lifeline Blood Services: Lifeline serves donors and patients in West Tennessee. Find out where to give with the blood drive calendar, save time by registering online at lifelinebloodserv.org or call 731-427-4431 to set up an appointment.
Before donating to any of these centers, make sure you’re healthy and meet the requirements. Business, church and organization leaders can help by offering to host a blood drive inside or outside their space.