Local blood drive planned today
By Kathy Thomson
Even during unusual times like the current coronavirus pandemic, regular blood donations are needed in order to ensure the continued adequacy of the supply at area hospitals, so Hendrick’s bloodmobile is in Albany today for the regularly scheduled Kiwanis Club sponsored blood drive.
Hendrick Regional Blood Center (formerly Meek Blood Center) will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.
“We urge healthy, eligible individuals to continue to donate blood and platelets,” said the blood center’s marketing manager Kelsey Caprin. “It is crucial that we maintain a sufficient blood supply throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. As elective surgeries begin to be scheduled again, it’s crucial that donors continue to donate when eligible so that we are prepared.”
Hendrick Regional Blood Center follows normal national, state, and local safety protocols, as well as additional safety measures due to -COVID-19 concerns.
“We are taking extra precautions during this time to ensure the health and safety of our donors and staff,” said Caprin. “For this reason, please be sure to give yourself extra time as we are only allowing a limited number of people on the bloodmobile at a time.”
She said that the number of people in the blood mobile is being limited to eight at a time, including the staff.
“Screenings begin outside of the blood mobile, with donors asked several COVID-19 screening questions, as well as having their temperatures taken prior to entering the blood mobile,” Caprio said.
If space is available, the donor will then board the bus and begin the donation process. If there is no space at the time, donors are asked to return to vehicles and wait for a staff member to contact them.
“In addition, our staff members are screened daily and are wearing the proper personal protective equipment,” said Caprio. “We will stop accepting walk ups 15 minutes prior to the drive end time. This is out of respect for your time, as we are experiencing longer than normal wait times due to limiting the number of people allowed on the bus at one time.”
Blood drives in Albany have been sponsored by the Kiwanis Club for over 20 years.
The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.
The Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year. The next one should be at the end of June or the beginning of July.
Local Kiwanians urge community members to donate blood to help ensure that patients in the hospitals served have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs.
Those who have eligibility questions can call Caprio at 325-670-2880.
