Media contact: Ronnika A. McFall
Twitter: @RedCrossBloodGA
Visit: RedCrossBlood.org
Social Circle, Ga. (Oct. 5, 2020) — The American Red Cross is asking donors who are feeling healthy and well to make an appointment to give blood and help keep the blood supply stable for patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions. The community is invited to give blood in honor of church assistant, Diane Doehrman, at a special Red Cross blood drive held in her name Monday, Oct. 12 from 1 to 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church Social Circle.
Doehrman has been an instrumental part of starting the community blood drives. Her battle with breast cancer began 14 years ago. Currently, she has a malignant mixed Mullerian tumor, which is an incurable cancer. Doehrman is currently the ministry assistant at First Baptist Church Social Circle. She has served on the hometown board, she volunteers with Walton County Relay for Life, and has lived in the area for over 25 years. She loves her community.
“Diane has a passion for the Red Cross mission and was a faithful donor until she was diagnosed,” said Christina Bailey, account manager for the Red Cross Georgia Blood Services Region. “She is extremely grateful for those who volunteer to donate their blood, so that she could make additional memories with her family, friends, and community.”
The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to schedule an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, sponsor code: "SocialCircle".
In thanks, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners who come to give in October. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/unite.
“Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease,” said Ronnika A. McFall, external communications manager of the Red Cross Georgia Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide, including 90 hospitals in the Georgia Region.”
About antibody testing
Antibody testing may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual experienced COVID-19 symptoms. Donations are tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing.
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.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing, and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented 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 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device, sponsor code: "SocialCircle". Donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, from a computer or mobile device on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.