Red Cross blood donors could win travel trailer camper
The American Red Cross along with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, have joined together to urge all who are healthy to make this a summer full of life for patients by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets.
As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of this devastating pandemic and people begin to return to some of their favorite activities, the Red Cross is concerned about the impact this could have on blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer.
The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break. It’s critical to have blood ready to go when every second counts.
The Van Der Beek family knows firsthand how important blood donations are in a health crisis. In the past year, Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses. Each time she needed emergency hospital care and blood transfusions to save her life.
“Donating blood is something that I’ve always done throughout my life,” said James Van Der Beek. “It seemed important. But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death. It just brought it home in a very real way.”
Hemorrhaging is the leading cause of pregnancy-related complications that can occur anytime during pregnancy. “In instances of severe bleeding, blood transfusions often play a lifesaving role,” said Dr. Ross Herron, divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross. “For mothers with complicated pregnancies or deliveries, generous donors are the only source of the transfusions they may need to survive.”
“If you’ve never given blood before, allow this to be your formal invitation. Will you please give blood?” added Kimberly Van Der Beek.
Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate.
However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In thanks for making it a summer full of life, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will automatically be entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five*, powered by Suburban Propane, via their SuburbanCares initiative. The Red Cross is also thanking those who come to donate May 28-June 13 with a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.
Health insights for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
Blood drive safety
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 masks 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 mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Here is a list of upcoming, local blood donation opportunities May 16-June 13.
SANDERS
Plains
5/19/2021: Noon-5 p.m., Plains VFW Hall, 201 West Lynch
FLATHEAD
Bigfork
5/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Pope John Paul II Catholic Church, 195 Coverdell
6/4/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Community United Methodist Church, 750 Electric Ave.
Kalispell
5/19/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Kalispell Elks Lodge, 1820 Hwy 93S
5/27/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., U.S. Forest Service Offices, 650 Wolfpack Way
6/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Family Life Christian Church, 1075 Foys Lake Road
6/11/2021: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Kalispell City Hall Council Chamber, City Hall Council Chambers, 201 1st Ave. E.
LAKE
Ronan
5/21/2021: 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Franklin Street and 4th Avenue East
Saint Ignatius
6/8/2021: Noon - 6:15 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Main and Highway 93
MISSOULA
Missoula
5/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Southgate Mall, 2901 Brooks
5/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Missoula Community Blood Drive at the American Red Cross Donor Center, 2401 N. Reserve St. Ste. 6-7
6/2/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Anthonys Parish, 217 Tremont
6/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Vemco, Inc., 201 N Russell St.
6/3/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Patrick Hospital Blood Drive at the American Red Cross, 2401 N. Reserve St.
6/7/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Discovery Alliance Church, 2630 Connery Way
6/9/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Missoula Community Blood Drive at the American Red Cross Donor Center, 2401 N. Reserve St. Ste. 6-7
6/11/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., PEAK Health and Wellness, 5000 Blue Mountain Road
RAVALLI
Corvallis
5/27/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 957 Eastside Highway
Hamilton
6/4/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bitterroot College, 103 S. 9th St.
6/8/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 275 Hattie Lane
Stevensville
5/21/2021: Noon - 6 p.m., United Methodist Church at Stevensville LDS Church, 100 Middle Burnt Fork Road
6/1/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Stevensville Fire Department, 150 Kinsman Drive