Blood and plasma urgently needed for hospital patients

The American Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are teaming up this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage. Right now, more donors are needed to help hospital patients.

Included in the donor sites, is Cadott, with a drive held Friday, Jan. 8, from noon to 6 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

During this critical time, the Red Cross and NFL will offer all those who donate, an opportunity to receive a special thank you this month. Those who come to donate blood or platelets in January, will be automatically entered to win two tickets to next year’s Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.

In addition, those who come to give Jan. 1-20, will also be automatically entered to win the Big Game at Home package, for a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card.

“Blood and plasma donors who have recovered from COVID- 19, may have the power to help critically ill patients currently battling the virus,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, Red Cross medical director of clinical services. “With hospital distributions for convalescent plasma increasing about 250 percent since October, these generous donations are vital in helping to save lives throughout the winter – a time that is often challenging to collect enough blood products for those in need.”

As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product. Like “special teams” units on the field, COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to make a game-changing difference in the lives of COVID- 19 patients.

Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their plasma, that could provide a patient’s immune system the boost it needs to beat the virus.

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff, and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19, should postpone their donation. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center, follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing, and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented 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.

Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.