As regions begin to reopen and hospitals anticipate the return of elective surgeries, Community Blood Center (CBC) is issuing an urgent call for healthy blood donors. The need for blood has rebounded to pre-COVID-19 levels, but the blood supply is dangerously low.
Lord of Love Lutheran Church, 8306 E. 171st St, in Belton, is hosting a blood drive on Friday, June 5th from noon to 5:30 pm in the church gym. Church spokesperson Vicki Hedger encourages the public to make an appointment to donate blood by visiting www.
In order to maintain a safe blood supply, a seven-day inventory of all blood types must be continually replenished. Right now, reserves are far below that minimum, according to the CBC.
Before COVID-19, mobile blood drives hosted by schools, organizations, and businesses made up about 70% of the region’s incoming blood supply, but all drives had to be cancelled during the past several months. CBC will begin holding a limited number of mobile blood drives each week, but they are far from the 200 drives per month that would be required to meet the need at area hospitals. Donors are required to schedule an appointment and wear a mask throughout their donation.
Donating a pint of blood takes about 60 minutes. CBD is taking extra precautions to help prevent the person-to-person spread of COVID-19.
Donors must be 16 years of age and older. Click Medical Requirements for Blood Donors 20200530 for a list of requirements.
When individuals normally think of essential community services, they often think about fire and police departments,” said Kim Peck, Senior Executive Director of Community Blood Center. “Community Blood Center and its donors are very similar to police officers and firefighters. We make up a life-saving team that is here to meet the needs of local patients. Our volunteer donors roll up their sleeves and do so without hesitation.”
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