Give blood with the Red Cross during National Volunteer Month

From American Red Cross

GREAT FALLS — With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions. During National Volunteer Month this April, the American Red Cross celebrates the blood, platelet and plasma donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission and urges healthy individuals to join them in giving.

Nearly 2.6 million Red Cross volunteer donors step up every year to ensure blood is on the shelves when patients need it. The generosity of these heroes has been especially impactful over the past year as they helped the Red Cross continue to meet patient needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The Red Cross continues to urge healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs. Schedule a donation appointment 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.

As a special thank you, those who come to give by April 30 will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $1,000 e-gift cards to a merchant of choice. Additional details are available at rcblood.org/Gift .

Health insights for donors

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.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.  

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org .

Blood drive safety

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 blood donation opportunities

Blaine County

Chinook

Thursday, May 13, Noon to 6 p.m. Wallner Hall, 330 Ohio

Chouteau County

Big Sandy

Thursday, May 6, 12:45-6 p.m., Jerry Martin Memorial Hall, 166 Johannes Ave.

Daniels County

Scobey

Wednesday, April 21, 5:30 p.m., St. Philip Bonitus Catholic Center, 401 Timmons

Hill County

Havre

Tuesday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., St. Jude Parish Center, 440 Seventh Ave.

Thursday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Havre Holiday Village Mall, 1753 U.S. Highway 2 West

Judith Basin County

Raynesford

Tuesday, April 27, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Raynesford School, 1 Main St.

Liberty County

Chester

Thursday April 29, Noon to 6 p.m., Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Main and Madison

Phillips County

Malta

Thursday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Little White Church, 21 S. 2nd St. W.

Teton County

Power

Wednesday, April 28, 1-6 p.m., Power High School, Power Public School

Valley County

Glasgow

Tuesday, April 20, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., VFW, 1222 U.S. Highway 2 W.

Wednesday, April 21, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., VFW, 1222 U.S. Highway 2 W.

Opheim

Tuesday, April 20, 1-6:30 p.m., John Marvin Ambulance Building, 75 Main 

About blood donation

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App at http:// RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. 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, people can follow the instructions at http://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 percent 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.