Red Cross teams with NFL to urge blood and plasma donation during National Blood Donor Month
Give blood now and earn a chance to win a trip to Super Bowl LVI
Those recovered from COVID-19 needed to tackle convalescent plasma shortage
(Jan. 5, 2021) - The American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up this January, during National Blood Donor Month, to urge individuals – especially those who have recovered from COVID-19 – to give blood and to help tackle the national convalescent plasma shortage. Right now, more donors are needed to help hospital patients.
During this critical time, the Red Cross and NFL are thrilled to offer all those who come to donate an opportunity to receive a special thank you this month. Those who come to donate blood or platelets this January will be automatically entered to win two tickets to next year’s Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles.* In addition, those who come to give January 1-20, will also be automatically entered to win the Big Game at Home package for an awesome viewing experience safely at home, with a 65-inch television and a $500 gift card to put toward food and fun.**
Individuals can schedule an appointment to give blood today with the American Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or activating the Blood Scheduling Skill for Amazon Alexa.
“Blood and plasma donors who have recovered from COVID-19 may have the power to help critically ill patients currently battling the virus,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, Red Cross medical director of clinical services. “With hospital distributions for convalescent plasma increasing about 250% since October, these generous donations are vital in helping to save lives throughout the winter – a time that is often challenging to collect enough blood products for those in need.”
As COVID-19 cases have risen across the U.S., so has the need for convalescent plasma – leading to a shortage of this potentially lifesaving blood product. Like “special teams” units on the field, COVID-19 survivors have a unique ability to make a game-changing difference in the lives of COVID-19 patients. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 may have antibodies in their plasma that could provide a patient’s immune system the boost it needs to beat the virus.
How those recovered from COVID-19 can help
There are two ways COVID-19 survivors can help – through a convalescent plasma donation or by simply giving whole blood. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients. Health emergencies don’t pause for
holidays, game days or a pandemic – blood is needed every two seconds in the U.S. to help patients battling injury and illness.
Blood donation safety precautions
To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.
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 coverings 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 covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities (Jan. 5-31, 2021):
MARYLAND
Washington
Boonsboro
1/11/2021: 1:45 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Legion, 710 North Main Street
Funkstown
1/11/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Funkstown Fire Department, 2 South Westside Avenue
Hagerstown
1/6/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
1/12/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Otterbein United Methodist, 108 E. Franklin Street
1/13/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
1/20/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
1/21/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
1/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
1/27/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross Hagerstown, 1131 Conrad Court
Hancock
1/7/2021: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hancock Community Center, 126 West High Street
Smithsburg
1/22/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bethel United Methodist Church, 21006 Twin Springs Drive
VIRGINIA
Clarke
Berryville
1/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., VFW, 425 S Buckmarsh St
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Frederick
Winchester
1/5/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/6/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Holiday Inn Winchester SE, 333 Front Royal Pike
1/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/8/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/11/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/12/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/13/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/14/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/15/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/20/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/21/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/22/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
1/28/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Winchester Blood Donation Center, 561 Fortress Dr
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Page
Luray
1/14/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion Post 22, 106 Zerkel St
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Shenandoah
Basye
1/5/2021: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 319 Orkney Grade
New Market
1/12/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., New Market Community Center, 9184 John Sevier RD
Strasburg
1/6/2021: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Legion, 157 E Washington St
Toms Brook
1/20/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., Toms Brook Volunteer Fire Department, 3342 South Main Street
Woodstock
1/7/2021: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., American Legion, 411 South Muhlenberg Street
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Warren
Front Royal
1/22/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion, 22 W 8th St
1/26/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Riverton United Methodist Church, 55 E.Strasburg Rd
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Winchester City
1/29/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., 333 West Cork Street, 333 West Cork St.
WEST VIRGINIA
Berkeley
Bunker Hill
1/13/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Ridgeway Church Hall, 41 Specks Run Road
Hedgesville
1/25/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Central Chapel, 2546 Back Creek Valley Road
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Hardy
Baker
1/15/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sperrys Run Church, 3056 Sperrys Run Rd
Moorefield
1/8/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Church of the Brethren, 115 Clay Street
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Jefferson
Ranson
1/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Ranson Civic Center, 432 W 2nd Avenue
Shenandoah Junction
1/18/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fellowship Bible Church, 160 Daniel Road
Shepherdstown
1/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Shepherdstown Fire Hall, 8052 Martinsburg Pike
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Morgan
Berkeley Springs
1/29/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 527 North Washington Street
About blood donation
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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* Terms and conditions apply. Additional information and details are available at https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/super_bowl.html
** Terms and conditions apply. Additional information and details are available at https://www.redcrossblood.org/local-homepage/events/super_bowl.html