Red Cross launches blood drive to stock up before summer

When schools let out for summer and families set off on vacation, blood donations decline, according to the American Red Cross. To stock up for the summer, the Red Cross is hosting a blood drive throughout Western Washington so it can provide a stable blood supply for patients with blood disorders, trauma victims and others.

As a thank-you to donors, all who donate through May 19 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice and they will be entered to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps eight, according to a Red Cross news release. Details are available at rcblood.org/camper. Those who give May 20-31 will receive a 20-ounce Red Cross aluminum water bottle and sticker set, while supplies last, the news release says.

Donating typically takes an hour. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, platelets or plasma, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).

Here are the upcoming blood donation events planned for Thurston County:

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, Great Wolf Lodge, 20500 Old Highway 99 SW, Grand Mound.
• Noon to 6 p.m. May 17, Olympic Ambulance, 1205 Ruddell Road SE, Lacey.
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25, City of Tumwater, 311 Israel Road SW.
• 1 to 6 p.m. June 8, New Life Baptist Church, 7838 Pacific Ave SE, Lacey.

According to the news release, the Red Cross is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Results may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus after vaccination or past exposure, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.

Plasma from donations that have high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to support COVID-19 patients with a weakened immune system, the news release says.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose infection, the news release says. Individuals who have been asked to quarantine or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone donation until they are symptom free for 10 days and feeling well and healthy.

This story was originally published May 9, 2022 at 10:52 AM.