ALEXANDRIA, VA-With severe winter weather and COVID-19, the American Red Cross is urging healthy people to give blood and platelet donations. A number of donation drives have been canceled due to weather, and the need for blood is constant as emergencies happen every day. Thousands of patients rely on life-saving donations – accident victims, cancer patients, and mothers of newborns.
In the National Capital and Greater Chesapeake regions, about 600 donations haven’t been collected because of the cancellation of blood drives.
There is an especially great need for Type O blood. Sign up to donate by the following methods: download the Red Cross app HERE, visit redcrossblood.org, call (1-800-733-2767, or enable the “Blood Donor Skill on Alexa Echo.
COVID-19 and Donation
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The
test may indicate if a donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus,
regardless of whether an individual developed symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests
will be helpful to identifying those with antibodies and may help patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.
Each blood drive center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control. Donors are subject to temperature checks before entry and practice social distancing. Mask-wearing is required when vising a center, and staff wear masks as well.
Upcoming Alexandria Blood Drives
2/25/2021: 12:30 – 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 N Alfred St.
2/27/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 N Alfred St.
3/2/2021: 12:30 – 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 N Alfred St.
3/11/2021: 12:30 – 6 p.m., Alexandria Chapter House, 123 N Alfred St.
3/11/2021: 2:30 – 7:30 p.m., Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1427 West Braddock Rd.
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