The blood supply in the US is critically low. As we face new surges of COVID-19 cases, AABB, America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross are urging eligible individuals to make and keep an appointment to donate blood now. The statement noted, in part:

Since the early stages of the pandemic, the blood community has experienced unprecedented fluctuations in both supply and the need for blood. A variety of events, including multiple disasters, have led to additional disruptions to the collection of blood more hospitals resume normal surgery schedules and more patients require blood. The impact of COVID-19 as flu season approaches could further compound challenges to maintaining a readily available blood supply. Blood donors are needed now to help maintain the adequacy of the blood supply and to ensure that blood is available.

Please contact one of the following organizations to find a local blood collection site and to schedule an appointment to donate:

AABB: www.aabb.org; +1.301.907.6977
America’s Blood Centers: www.americasblood.org; +1.202.393.5725
American Red Cross: www.redcrossblood.org; +1.800.RED CROSS (+1.800.733.2767)

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available to Red Cross donors within one to two weeks. 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. Between June 15 and September 12, the Red Cross tested more than 1.2 million donations in 44 states. Of the donations we tested approximately 2.0% showed positive for COVID-19 antibodies