North Carolina – The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.

Every day there are thousands of patients who rely on lifesaving blood donations.

One heartwarming gesture deserves another
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Important COVID-19 information for donors
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. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

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.

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 through Feb. 8th:

Thursday, January 28
Bethel Lutheran Church
5759 Bolick Rd
Claremont, NC 28610
1:30 PM – 7:00 PM

St Lukes Lutheran Church
1364 Church Rd
Taylorsville, NC 28681
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Cool Springs Ruritan
1414 Old Mocksville Road
Statesville, NC 28625
25 mi
2:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Monday, February 1
St. Stephens High School
3205 34th Street Dr NE
Hickory, NC 28601
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Yadkin Baptist Church
2044 Roby Martin Rd.
Patterson, NC 28661
2:30 PM – 7:00 PM

Wednesday, February 3
Valley Hills Mall
1960 Highway 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
12:00 PM – 05:00 PM

Thursday, February 4
Valley Hills Mall
1960 Highway 70 SE
Hickory, NC 28602
12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Mt Olive Lutheran Church
2103 Mt Olive Church Rd
Newton, NC 28658
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Abberly Green Apt. Homes
117 Abberly Green Blvd.
Mooresville, NC 28117
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Sunday, February 7
Family Video
1511 29th Avenue NE
Hickory, NC 28601
1:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Monday, February 8
Beulah Baptist Church
1851 Old Mountain Rd.
Statesville, NC 28677
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Belwood Community
1114 Belwood Lawndale Rd
Lawndale, NC 28090
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Monticello United Methodist
308 Island Ford Rd.
Statesville, NC 28625
2:00 PM – 6:30 PM