Plasma from whole blood donations made through the American Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood now to help ensure coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions have needed blood products this fall.
In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, who could only give at one of approximately 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus. Now, whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center could be helpful in this effort.
“Donations that come back positive for COVID-19 antibodies now undergo secondary testing to confirm antibody results, and that enables the Red Cross to then potentially use the plasma from those donations for COVID-19 patients,” Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services, said in a statement provided by the American Red Cross. “With approximately 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them.”
The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to schedule an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
In thanks, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners who come to give in October. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/unite. Additionally, those who come to give by the end of September will receive a free haircut coupon by email to participating Sport Clips Haircuts locations. More information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Sport-Clips.
About antibody testing
Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Donations are tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
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 coverings 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 covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities, Sept. 25-Oct. 15 in New Jersey:
CENTRAL NEW JERSEY
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center – Central New Jersey
707 Alexander Road, Suite 701, Princeton Township
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.-8 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Thursday: 10 a.m.-6:15 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Mercer
Princeton
10/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., MarketFair Mall, 3535 US Route 1 South
10/14/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Princeton University, Carl A. Fields Center, 58 Prospect Ave.
10/15/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Boston Properties, 101 Carnegie Center Drive
10/15/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Princeton University, Carl A. Fields Center, 58 Prospect Ave.
Princeton Junction
10/12/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., West Windsor Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, 153 S. Mill Road
_______________
Middlesex
East Brunswick
9/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 303 Dunhams Corner Road
Edison
10/5/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post No. 435, 43 Oakland Ave.
Parlin
10/10/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Aquatic & Fitness Center, 333 Cheesequake Road
Sayreville
10/4/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Lenape Post No. 211, 240 MacArthur Ave.
_______________
Monmouth
Bradley Beach
10/9/2020: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Bradley Beach Elementary School, 515 Brinley Ave.
Colts Neck
10/13/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Colts Neck Fire Company No. 1, 123 Route 537
Freehold
10/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road
10/11/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Freehold Family YMCA, 470 E. Freehold Road
Manasquan
9/28/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manasquan United Methodist Church, 23 Church St.
Neptune City
9/27/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Neptune City Community Center, 117 Third Ave.
Tinton Falls
10/6/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., American Red Cross of New Jersey, 1540 W. Park Ave.
10/9/2020: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., American Red Cross of New Jersey, 1540 W. Park Ave.
_______________
Ocean
Barnegat
10/12/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Barnegat Recreation Center, 900 W. Bay Ave.
Brick
9/26/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., VFW Post No. 8867, 373 Adamston Road
10/9/2020: 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Brick Presbyterian Church, 111 Drum Point Road
Manahawkin
10/7/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Moose Lodge, 120 Route 72
Toms River
10/7/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Days Hotel, 290 Route 37 E.
_______________
Somerset
Basking Ridge
10/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 140 S. Finley Ave.
10/4/2020: 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave.
Bedminster
9/29/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Clarence Dillon Public Library, 2336 Lamington Road
Branchburg
9/28/2020: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints – Branchburg, 35 Lamington Road
Bridgewater
10/7/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bridgewater Senior Center, 455 Somerville Road
Somerville
9/29/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Raritan Valley Lodge No. 46, 14 N. Doughty Ave.
Warren
10/3/2020: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Stonecrest Community Church, 11 Technology Drive
_______________
Union
New Providence
9/28/2020: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 419 South St.
Rahway
9/30/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lafayette Masonic Lodge No. 27, 1550 Irving St.
Roselle Park
9/28/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Casano Community Center, 314 Chestnut St.
Summit
10/3/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Summit YMCA, 67 Maple Ave.
Union
10/10/2020: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Loyalty Lodge No. 33, 1912 Morris Ave.
______________________________
About blood donation
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, follow the instructions at 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% 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.