Because of You, Life Doesn’t Stop – Donate Blood
LAFAYETTE, LA – The summer months always bring about a decline in blood donations by over 20%. Combine that with the decline in blood donations since COVID-19 precautions have been enacted and the blood supply has seen an added strain. A blood drive will be held at the Vitalant donation center to help combat the decline in blood donations. Donate at the Vitalant donation center located at 1503 Bertrand Drive on Thursday, July 30 from 7am – 6:30pm.
There is a current need for all blood types and your help is needed; because of you, life doesn’t stop.
The first 100 donors will receive a T-shirt, Fun Nation FREE skate entry coupon, and Best Stop coupon. Donors will also be entered to win one of two News 15 Swag Bags (News 15 items and gift cards to restaurants) each valued at least $150! Kolaches from Meche’s Donuts will be served for breakfast. Deano’s Pizza will be served for lunch and dinner. Sky’s the Limit Cupcakes will be served as a sweet treat!
CONVALESCENT PLASMA & ANTIBODY TESTING
As COVID-19 cases have increased, so have hospitalizations and the need for convalescent plasma donations. If you have recovered from COVID-19, and have been at least 14 days without any symptoms, we ask that you sign up to become a convalescent plasma donor by visiting //www.vitalant.org/covidfree. The antibodies in your plasma can help a critically ill Coronavirus patient fight and overcome the disease. If you are unsure if you had COVID-19, all successful blood donations are now tested for the COVID-19 antibody. If you are positive for the antibody, we ask that you sign up to become a convalescent plasma donor.
We can’t fulfill our lifesaving mission without you. That’s why we have strict safety measures to keep you and our team safe during COVID-19. In order to effectively uphold social distancing, appointments are strongly encourages. Face coverings are required for all donor and staff. Please come to your donation with a face covering that covers both your nose and mouth.
As one of the nation’s foremost blood providers and transfusion medicine research centers, Vitalant is simultaneously leading the effort to restore the local blood supply and ensure that patients and hospitals in Louisiana have stable blood inventories. The U.S. Surgeon General and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have designated blood donation as an essential function, encouraging healthy and eligible donors to continue to donate even amidst COVID-19 response measures. Vitalant continues to intensify precautionary measures to ensure the safety of donors, patients and staff.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (“Vye-TAL-ent”) is a national community blood service provider, supplying comprehensive transfusion medicine services for nearly 1,000 hospitals and health care partners for patients in need across 40 states. Vitalant inspires local communities to serve the needs of others and transform lives through the selfless act of donating blood. Every day, almost 5,000 blood donations are needed to meet the needs of people throughout the country, and Vitalant’s 800,000 donors supply 1.8 million donations a year. In addition to blood products, Vitalant offers customers transfusion services, medical consulting, quality guidance, ongoing education, research and more. For more information and to schedule a donation, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Join the conversation about impacting the lives of others on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To learn more about Vitalant’s COVID-19 efforts, visit vitalant.org/COVIDfree
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