Ghent to host blood drive June 3
The Red Cross Blood Drive will be at KB's Bar & Grill in Ghent from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 3.
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.
The Red Cross is thanking those who come to donate from May 28-June 12 with a limited-edition T-shirt, while supplies last.
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.
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.
Upcoming local donation opportunities:
(Lincoln County)
Ivanhoe - June 10 from 1-7 p.m. at Bethany Elim Lutheran Church, 102 S. Highway 5
Lake Benton - June 9 from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Community and Event Center, 114 S. Center St.
(Lyon County)
Ghent - June 3 from 2-6 p.m. at KB's Bar & Grill, 100 Burlingame St.
Marshall - May 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marshall Fire Department, 201 Saratoga St.
Marshall - June 2 from noon-6 p.m. at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, 1301 S. 4th St.