SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (October 12, 2020) - The American Red Cross Utah-Nevada Region today announced Rio Tinto Kennecott (RTK) is making a $50,000 donation to support the organization’s COVID-19 antibody testing initiative.
“Amid much uncertainty, COVID-19 antibody testing will help provide our donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this virus,” says Heidi Ruster, Red Cross Utah-Nevada regional executive. She adds “Partnering with the private sector is a great way to increase financial resources and support for this program. With their $50,000 contribution, RTK has become a champion of our initiative, and their pledge also helps identify future convalescent plasma donors while elevating the importance of blood donations especially this time of year.”
“Antibody testing is an innovative, proactive effort to provide information to the public about their virus status, and ultimately, having a positive impact on community health and safety as we come together to battle this pandemic,” added Gaby Poirier, managing director, Rio Tinto Kennecott. “We strongly encourage eligible donors to participate in the upcoming blood drives to share the gift of life with those who need it most.”
Northern Utah alone typically collects approximately 4,300 blood donations per month, but with COVID-19, there have been cancellations. Therefore, in partnership with ASM Global, Salt Lake County and Mountain America Credit Union, the Red Cross is working to replace those needed units through frequent, regularly scheduled public blood drives.
Rio Tinto Kennecott is the co-sponsor of two large community blood drives at the Mountain America Expo Center during the month of October, as well as hosting an onsite drive at their office in Daybreak to further engage their employees.
About Rio Tinto Kennecott
Rio Tinto Kennecott is a world-class, integrated copper mining operation located just outside Salt Lake City. Kennecott has been mining and processing minerals from the rich ore body of the Bingham Canyon Mine since 1903, and is even today one of the top producing mines in the world. The operation also includes a concentrator, smelter and refinery, providing employment to over 2,000 people.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent 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.