The Osage Lion’s Club hosted a blood drive with Vitalant on Thursday, May 6 at the Osage Community Center, which helped collect a total of 39 units of blood products for patients in need.
A total of 38 individuals were able to donate. Five donors also came forward to donate Power Red Cells (2RBC), which collects two units of red blood cells while returning platelets, plasma and a saline solution back to the donor. There were six people who volunteered for the first time.
Vitalant expresses gratitude to Larry Frehse, who coordinated the drive, and the Osage Lions Club as well as others who assisted the day of the drive: Art Yliniemi, Bonnie Lehrke and Millie Wilson.
Living through a pandemic can lead to many uncertainties, although one thing we are sure of, is that the need for blood never ceases. Blood is only useable for 42 days, so a constant supply is always needed, no matter the season.
Vitalant is currently testing all successful blood, platelet and plasma donations for the foreseeable future for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. If your donation is antibody positive, Vitalant can produce convalescent plasma from it to help COVID patients, additionally the remaining blood components will help other patients with serious medical conditions.
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Antibodies are proteins within plasma that help fight off infections. Because antibodies are part of the body's immune response and not the virus itself, antibody testing cannot be used to diagnose current coronavirus infection.
Postpone your donation if you are feeling unwell or suspect you may have COVID-19. Individuals must be symptom free for at least 14 days to be eligible to give blood. Learn more about finding ways to help patients during COVID by visiting vitalant.org/COVIDRescueTeam
Donors can make a convenient appointment to give blood at www.bloodhero.com or by calling 877-25-VITAL. With each donation, donors receive a free total cholesterol test. The next blood drive at this location is planned to be held on July 15.
Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Health History Questionnaire the day they donate on www.vitalant.org/health.
