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Blood Bank Needs Donations

The Community Blood Bank remains in urgent need of blood donors as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to place a heavy strain on the local blood supply.

This month, the CBB has lost around 30% of its blood drives due to the pandemic. Blood drive partners are forced to cancel their blood drives due to not operating on site or continuing to operate in a limited capacity. This has resulted in the loss of around 320 donors this month alone.

“It’s a matter of public safety that we make up for those lost units of blood,” said Jaclyn Seymour, community relations specialist for the Community Blood Bank. “We are facing a less-than one-day supply of most blood types. It’s the blood on the shelves that saves lives and right now, there isn’t much on the shelf.”

The Community Blood Bank also continues to offer a COVID-19 antibody test to all donors through the month of November.

The Community Blood Bank has implemented precautionary measures that include all donors and staff members being required to wear masks, temperatures of all personnel at the blood collection location being taken prior to entering the blood drive, extra sanitation measures taken in between every donor and donors are to adhere to social distancing protocols.

Individuals are eligible to give blood if it has been 56 days since their last donation; they are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent); weigh at least 110 pounds; have not received a tattoo or body piercing in the past three months; are in good general health and do not have a cold or the flu. Donors must have a valid photo ID in order to donate. Prior to donating, those giving blood should eat a good, solid meal and drink at least 18 ounces of water. For more informationvisit www.fourhearts.org or call 877-842-0631.

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