BY MATT PIKE
ST JOSEPH POST
The American Red Cross is seeking more blood donations ahead of the holiday season.
Joe Zydlo with the Red Cross says the need for blood around the holiday season is great. But in the COVID-19 era, one thing the Red Cross is looking for is even more important.
"We need all blood types, but again also asking people if they have recovered recently and they are healthy to please come out and donate as soon as they can because with all the hospitilizations due to COVID-19, there are a lot of people struggling and suffering right now that need that convalescent plasma to help them recover".
Zydlo says that there is a need for all blood types, but some give the Red Cross more flexibility.
"We need all blood types now, Type O is important because if you're O negative your a universal donor, that means your blood can be transfused to anybody of any blood type, if you are O positive that's anybody with a positive blood designation can have your O positive blood transfused to them"
The Red Cross is also currently seeking blood donations from people who have recovered from COVID-19. Zydlo says the plasma in those individuals’ blood is used to help others who are currently suffering from the virus.
The Red Cross is currently seeking more blood donations from those who have recovered that are AB or B blood types.
Zydlo goes on to say that he wants to assure donors the process is safe.
"We have followed CDC guidelines and protocols at all of our blood drives and donor centers right from the beginning, really towards the latter stages of March and into April, adding those guidelines".
Zydlo says the blood centers take the temperature of anyone coming to donate. Anyone with a temperature of 99-point-5 will be sent home. Sanitizer is available.
Zydlo adds that it’s important for donors to feel safe.
"You think you feel as if it's a safe haven, your doing something to help us save lives by donating your blood, and again we want people to be rest assured that we're following all safety protocols and have really since day one".
Zydlo encourages anyone interested to download the Red Cross blood donor app for more information.