By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The American Red Cross wants to be sure those who are vaccinated know that they can give blood.
"As long as they are feeling well, as long as they are symptom-free, feeling well and can tell us which vaccine manufacturer they have received, there is no waiting period after a COVID-19 vaccine," said Jan Hale with the American Red Cross. "That's good news."
Also, if you have had COVID-19 and are symptom-free, you can also give blood.
"Our donors don't have to do anything to check and see if they still have antibodies," Hale said. "All they need to do is just make an appointment at a blood drive near their location and we'll take care of the rest of it. They'll find out if they still have antibodies via either the app that they've downloaded, or at redcrossblood.org, or they can always call us."
There is always a need for blood, but those with blood type O can really help right now.
"Most people in the United States have O positive blood," Hale said. "That's kind of a supply and demand situation. When we see the increased need for blood, that's usually from O positive people, because that's the majority of blood type. Then, O negative folks are what we call the golden donor because their blood can be transfused into anyone, regardless of their blood type. There's only about 5% of the population that has O negative blood."
Below is a list of Reno County blood drives in May.
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Mid Kansas Cooperative
112 W 2nd St.
Haven, KS 67543
08:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday, May 21, 2021
St Paul Lutheran Church
8513 E Arlington Rd
Haven, KS 67543
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, May 24, 2021
First Presbyterian Church
201 E Sherman
Hutchinson, KS 67501
Noon to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
First Presbyterian Church
201 E Sherman
Hutchinson, KS 67501
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, May 26, 2021
First Presbyterian Church
201 E Sherman
Hutchinson, KS 67501
7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
To set an appointment, go to redcrossblood.org.