Now Is a Good Time to Donate Blood
The United States is currently experiencing an acute shortage of blood. Due to concerns about the coronavirus, many blood donations have been canceled, possibly because donors are particularly hesitant to register. Although the need for blood decreased during the quarantine, since many planned operations were postponed, the need for blood resumed, but donations did not return to their pre-pandemic level.
“Our stocks have been cut in half,” Chris Hroda, president of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services, told the NY Times . “We’re starting to get into a critical situation.” The Red Cross, which usually has a five-day supply, now has less than two-day supply, Hrud said.
If you can donate blood, now is the best time to do so. To keep donors safe, clinics are taking extra precautions to prevent infection. Many clinic operators, including the Red Cross, are also taking the extra step of screening donors for COVID-19 antibodies . Antibody test results will usually be available to the donor within 7-10 days.
(Quick reminder: COVID-19 antibodies are a sign that you have been infected in the past, not an active infection. If you are not feeling well or have recently been exposed to COVID-19, you should not donate blood.)
Who is eligible to donate
Generally speaking, any healthy person over the age of 17 and weighing at least 110 pounds is eligible to donate blood. You can donate whole blood once every 56 days. It is also possible to donate only plasma or platelets.
Your donation site may have some additional restrictions, so check your local center’s policies. Common factors that make you unacceptable are low iron levels if you are taking certain medications or if you have lived or traveled in certain countries. The FDA recently relaxed some of its gay and bisexual donor regulations and travel restrictions.
How to find a blood center or clinic near you
To find a blood donation center or clinic near you, visit the websites of the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks), the Red Cross, or the American Blood Center that offer blood donation sites and timetables for upcoming blood donations. disks.
There may be several options depending on where you live. Making an appointment will be especially important due to the need to observe appropriate security measures , including temperature checks, limiting visits to ensure sufficient physical distance, and increased sanitation (bring a mask).