HUTCHINSON, Kan. — There are numerous opportunities to donate blood in the area over the next several weeks. The Red Cross is holding a blood drive Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Hutchinson Reginal Medical Center.
Then in November, the Red Cross will host blood drives on November 15 at Uptown Hutch and November 20th at the HutchCC Student Union. Other areas around the county where you can donate blood include Nickerson on November 9 at the Nickerson High School; South Hutchinson on November 12 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church; and November 18 at Fairfield High School in Langdon.
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
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. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
To make an appointment to donate blood you can go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS or (1-800-733-2767).