Give blood in honor of Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors, and especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood to honor the legacies of African Americans like Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland.
COVID-19 survivors, who may have antibodies in their plasma that could help patients currently battling the virus, are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. Red Cross officials hope their efforts this month will collect plasma to treat COVID-19 patients as well as support the needs of sickle-cell patients by helping to engage the Black community on the importance of giving blood and hosting blood drives.
A surgeon, Drew was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. His research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today.
As the first African American chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors, Holland was passionate about blood research. His commitment to providing the safest possible blood products for patients in need helped inform many safeguards the Red Cross has in place today.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows infection control precautions, including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 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.
Blood donation appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 800-733-2767. 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.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Clackamas County:
Happy Valley area
Feb. 23: 1-6 p.m., Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 9800 S.E. 92nd Ave.
Feb. 27: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunnyside Grange, 13130 S.E. Sunnyside Road
Feb. 27: 2-6 p.m., Creator Lutheran Church, 13250 S.E. Sunnyside Road
Milwaukie/Oak Grove
Feb. 16: 1-6 p.m., Milwaukie-Portland Elks Lodge, 13121 S.E. McLoughlin Blvd.
Feb. 18: 2-7 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ, Latter-day Saints, 13520 S.E. Ruscliff Lane
Feb. 19: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Fred Meyer Garden Center, 14700 S.E. McLoughlin Blvd.
Feb. 23: 1:30-7 p.m., GracePoint Church, 10750 S.E. 42nd Ave.
Feb. 26: 1:30-6:30 p.m., Milwaukie Lutheran, 3810 S.E. Lake Road
Oregon City area
Feb. 17: Noon to 5 p.m., Abernathy Grange 346, 15745 Harley Ave.
Feb. 22: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oregon City United Methodist Church, 18955 South End Road
Feb. 25: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Museum of the Oregon Territory, 211 Tumwater Drive
Feb. 26: Noon to 5 p.m., Edgewater Main Office, 1937 Main St.
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