Bloodmobile coming March 23 to CCS gym

The American Red Cross blood drive will be held at the auxiliary gym at Chase County Schools (CCS) Tuesday, March 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The goal for this blood drive will once again be 80 units, said Angie Paisley, R.N., school drive coordinator.
    Entrance to the gym will be through the northeast doors, Paisley said.
    As always, donors should bring a picture I.D.
    “You must be age 17 or above to donate blood, but a 16 year old may donate with parental consent,” Paisley said.
    O-positive or any negative-type blood can donate power reds, but donors should plan on about an hour and a half, she added.
    Appointments to give blood can be made online at red crossblood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or contact Paisley at 308-882-4304.
    To get a RapidPass on the day of a blood donation, donors should visit redcross blood.org/rapidpass, complete the questionnaire, then print  the RapidPass and bring it with them.
    The completed RapidPass form can be shown on a mobile device, as well, when they come to donate, said Paisley.
    Walk-ins are welcome.
Additional information
    As has been the case for several previous drives, all blood donations March 23 will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.
    The results of the antibody test will be available by logging into your blood donor account or online seven to 10 days after your donation at redcross blood.org.
    A positive result indicates that an individual may have had previous exposure to the virus.
    If you receive the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccination, there is no wait period for eligibility for donating blood, said Zak Bernath of the Red Cross.
    “If you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 or have been ill with it, once you’ve recovered and have no more symptoms, the Red Cross would love to have you donate your plasma,” he said.
    It’s used for what’s called convalescent plasma to give to hospitalized COVID patients because of the coronavirus antibodies it contains.
    “If you are sick—don’t come, and anyone who is on antibiotics cannot donate blood,” said Paisley.
Masks required
For the safety of donors and in accordance with CDC guidelines, all donors are required to wear a face covering or mask.
If a donor does not have one, it will be provided.
The safety process on blood mobile day will be temperature checks, six foot distancing, hand sanitizer, wiping down surfaces and expanded deferral questions.
The Red Cross advises potential donors to take time to cool down before temp checks.
All staff and volunteers will wear gloves and masks, and observe social distancing. No extra people should attend with the donor, Paisley said.