St. John’s Lutheran Church, 502 W. Chestnut St., will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Friday, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Red Cross says that efforts to maintain lifesaving blood supplies has been hampered by both the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as several bouts of severe winter weather which have led to recent blood drive postponements and cancellations.
Giving blood, the Red Cross says, remains safe with a variety of protocols in place, including mask wearing and social distancing, because of the pandemic.
Additionally, the Red Cross tests all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
As part of that effort, the Red Cross website reports that plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.
A list of the extensive safety precautions taken at Red Cross blood drives, as well as additional information on donor eligibility, visit its website at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/coronavirus--covid-19--and-blood-donation.html.
To make an appointment for the blood drive at St. John’s Lutheran Church or another blood drive in the area, go https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive.