Linda Shannon-Hills
We need your help. The American Red Cross continues to be short on needed blood. If you can donate, we encourage you to register to donate. Many are concerned about safety from contracting the COVID-19 virus, but the Red Cross has added extra procedures to protect us and the staff when we donate.
There are several drives in January near SaddleBrooke Ranch but the next drive at SBR Ranch House’s Sol Ballroom will be on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. We have added additional time slots to meet the high number of residents wanting to donate blood, but register early to find the right time for you to donate. With the COVID-19 pandemic, they are no longer taking walk-ins. You must wear a mask and your temperature will be taken before you are allowed to come in to register. On the day you donate, we recommend you go online to complete the RapidPass to answer the questions done during the history before donating. It saves time for you and the staff to get in and out faster.
The need for blood is great and if you can step up to donate, you could be saving the lives of up to three people with your blood donation. Not everyone is able to donate, but if you can, please sign up to donate at this blood drive in February. Login to donate at www.redcrossblood.org.
You can also download the Blood Donor app to your phone. It puts the power to save lives in the palm of your hand. You can register to donate, and even fill out the history questions before you attend through the RapidPass in your phone app the day of donation. Have your donor card available on your phone for faster check in. You can also check on all your donations and vitals, plus follow the path of your blood journey every step of the way to the patient receiving your blood.
All donors will have a COVID-19 Antibody Test done on your blood. If it is found you have had COVID-19, you will be contacted.
Power Red—If you are willing to take a bit longer during donations, the Red Cross encourages those that qualify, to sign up to donate for Power Red. What is a Power Red donation? This type of donation allows you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation. During your Power Red, blood is drawn from one arm through an automated process. The machine separates and collects two units of red cells and then safely returns the remaining blood components, along with some saline, back to you through the same arm. Donation frequency is 112 days, up to three times a year. Male donors must be at least 17 years old in most states, at least 5’1″ tall and weigh at least 130 lbs. Female donors must be at least 19 years old, at least 5’5″ tall and weigh at least 150 lbs.
For more information, please visit their website at www.redcrossblood.org.