Plasma from whole blood donations made through the American Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood now to help ensure coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions have needed blood products this fall.

In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, who could only give at one of approximately 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus. Now, whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center could be helpful in this effort.

“Donations that come back positive for COVID-19 antibodies now undergo secondary testing to confirm antibody results, and that enables the Red Cross to then potentially use the plasma from those donations for COVID-19 patients,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the Red Cross Indiana Ohio Region. “With approximately 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them.”

The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to schedule an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

In thanks, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners who come to give in October. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/unite. Additionally, those who come to give by the end of September will receive a free haircut coupon by email to participating Sport Clips Haircuts locations. More information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips.

About antibody testing

Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Donations are tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.

Important COVID-19 information for donors

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, Sept. 23-Oct. 15:

Hardin County

Ada

10/15/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Visiting Nurses & Hospice, 1200 S. Main St.

Kenton

9/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 11543 County Road 175

9/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kenton Moose Lodge, 801 W Lima Street

_______________

Putnam County

Leipsic

10/13/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Mary’s Parish Life, 320 State Street

Ottawa

10/1/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Chevrolet of Ottawa, 1420 N. Perry

10/6/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus Ottawa, 10760 Rd H

_______________

Allen County

Bluffton

10/1/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 160 North Spring Street

Delphos

10/7/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 1011 Elida Avenue

Lima

9/29/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House Lima, 610 S. Collett Street

9/29/2020: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Moose Lodge, 2929 North West Street

10/6/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Red Cross Allen County Chapter House Lima, 610 S. Collett Street

10/14/2020: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Rita’s Medical Center, 730 West Market Street

_______________

Auglaize County

New Bremen

10/5/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 6458 State Route 66

Saint Marys

9/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wayne Street United Methodist Church, 130 N. Wayne Street

Wapakoneta

10/1/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., St. Paul United Church of Christ, 101 E. Mechanic Street

_______________

Defiance

Defiance

9/30/2020: 1 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., VFW 3360, 201 North Clinton Street

10/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 400 Wayne Ave

Hicksville

10/8/2020: 1 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., First Church of Christ, 118 N Main Street

_______________

Mercer County

Celina

10/12/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Tri Star Career Compact, 7655  State Route 703

Coldwater

9/30/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion, 601 N. 2nd Street

10/7/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Legion, 601 N. 2nd Street

10/12/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., American Legion, 601 N. 2nd Street

Saint Henry

10/14/2020: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., American Legion, 341 W. Main Street

_______________

Paulding County

Paulding

10/8/2020: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Apostolic Christian, 12867 Road 82

_______________

Van Wert County

Van Wert

9/25/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity Friends Church, 605 North Franklin Street

_______________

Williams County

Bryan

9/24/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, 903 Center Street

10/8/2020: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Knights of Columbus Bryan, 1216 Buffalo Road

Pioneer

9/30/2020: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Pioneer Area Chamber, 100 North Elm 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.