You can add blood donation to the list of ways you can help our nation get through this pandemic. Fears about COVID-19 have been keeping people from giving blood. And the American Red Cross says the result is an urgent need for blood and platelet donors.
The Red Cross estimates that someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. Donated blood is used to help people who have:
• Cancer.
• Sickle cell disease.
• Chronic diseases.
• Injuries from accidents or fires.
It's used in lifesaving procedures, such as heart surgeries and organ transplants. And blood donors who have fully recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their blood plasma. Their blood could help seriously ill COVID-19 patients.
There's no evidence that the coronavirus can be spread by blood transfusion. And blood centers are taking extra steps to protect donors and staff from the virus.
Are you healthy and interested in giving blood? You can contact these groups to ask about an appointment: AABB, American Red Cross, America's Blood Centers, Armed Services Blood Program, and Blood Centers of America.
Additional source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration