Feeling powerless? Giving blood one way to make a difference

Six months into a global pandemic, the nation, the state and the towns of the region have witnessed job loss, isolation, closed schools and health concerns not experienced in the past 100 years.

The new habits of protecting ourselves and those around us from the spread of COVID-19 have us wearing masks, carrying hand sanitizer at all times, washing hands frequently, staying home and avoiding contact with others.

The health care system and the nonprofits who help those struggling in our communities are being strained in ways they couldn’t have imagined at the start of 2020. New challenges to combat the spread of the virus crop up alongside other challenges that are just as threatening even if not caused by the coronavirus.

Among the organizations tasked with providing help is the American Red Cross, which is working to build supplies of convalescent plasma. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 containing antibodies that might help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

Since April, thousands of COVID-19 survivors have given convalescent plasma, enabling the Red Cross to collect and distribute over 20,000 lifesaving convalescent plasma products nationwide, including over 3,500 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, according to a press release seeking donors.

The Red Cross has seen demand for convalescent plasma more than double over the last month as the number of coronavirus cases increases across the U.S. Nationally, convalescent plasma products are now being distributed faster than donations are coming in.

Individuals who have fully recovered and received a verified COVID-19 diagnosis are urged to sign up to give convalescent plasma by completing the donor eligibility form at RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid. With each donation, COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to help up to three patients recover from the virus, the Red Cross stated in its release.

The Red Cross is also urgently seeking blood donations, which have fallen off due to the restrictions that ended many public blood drives. Group blood drives abruptly stopped in March as Pennsylvania shut down. Now, the

Red Cross is looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply.

There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and while cases increase across the country, blood drives continue to be canceled at an alarming rate as many businesses, schools and community organizations remain closed, according to the Red Cross. Because about 80% of blood donations are made at blood drives hosted by these groups, the Red Cross urgently needs the help of both blood donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients.

Red Cross blood drive and donation centers have implemented additional precautions, including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff, to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the 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.

Maintaining adequate blood supply in the region is a matter of life and death, not only for those dealing with COVID-19, but also for people needing surgery, suffering serious illness or accident victims.

At a time when many feel powerless in the face of an overwhelming health crisis, giving blood is something individuals can do. Consider giving blood or hosting a blood drive to make a difference and save a life.

Donation appointments can be made by downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-7332767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. As a thank-you, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma, including convalescent plasma, Aug. 1-Sept. 3 will receive a $5 Amazon. com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon.* Plus, come to give by Aug. 31 and automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm, redeemable through the 2021 season.^ Also, in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey, donors who come out to give blood Aug. 1-31 will receive a voucher for a free medium Iced Coffee and Classic Donut courtesy of Dunkin’ Greater Philadelphia.