School closures and business disruption due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have caused officials to cancel hundreds of blood drives across the state, putting patients who need blood at risk. The Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers has launched the #GiveBloodChallenge to encourage people to make a brief trip to donate blood and then post a photo on social media (or at least post your appointment time) and tag ten friends to do the same. Donors may schedule a time at their local blood centers online 24/7.
“Unlike hand sanitizer and paper products, which can be stockpiled, whole blood has a very short 42-day shelf life—only five days for platelets—and constantly needs to be replenished,” explained Margaret Vaughn, government affairs director of the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers. “The Food and Drug Administration reports that the coronavirus does not pose any known risk to a blood donor during the donation process or by attending a mobile blood drive, which are not ‘mass gatherings’ but sterile environments, where healthy people can donate.”
“With so many people being taken away from their regular activity schedule, this is a perfect opportunity to contact their local blood center and make an appointment to donate blood,” said ICCBC vice president Heidi Ognibene, director of operations at Rock River Valley Blood Center. “The screening process takes about 15 minutes, and the actual blood donation portion takes five to ten minutes, but your efforts can mean a lifetime to those in need.”
“Less than an hour of your day can make a tremendous impact on the lives of people going through cancer treatments, childbirth, trauma surgeries, anemia, sickle cell, burn injuries, etc.,” said ICCBC president Jim Watts, who works at Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center. “So much attention is on the coronavirus that people are overlooking the fact that patients across the state are going through medical procedures around the clock, which require a safe and adequate blood supply which is now dwindling.”
If you are 17 years old (16 with parental permission), in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds, you may be eligible to donate blood. The donation process consists of a health screening, donating time, and snack. The actual donation time lasts about ten to 15 minutes.
To donate blood, call Vitalant at (877) 258-4835 or visit its website, www.vitalant.org, to schedule a donation time. Then post a photo on social media with the hashtag #GiveBloodChallenge. For more information, log on to www.illlinoisbloodcenters.com.