Boise Red Cross Has a Critical Need for Blood

With blood donations down, it's a crucial time to donate to the Boise Red Cross.  And BONUS.  They'll test for COVID-19 antibodies too.  

The pandemic has changed everyone's calendar, including the schedule for the American Red Cross, and they're still catching up. Shutdowns and restrictions put a kink in their hose, and they could use help getting the flow of donations going again.

Thousands of people have kept up with regular blood donations, and they are true heroes right now, according to the Red Cross.

March is "Red Cross Month," and they're taking time to recognize more than 300,000 people who volunteer to donate blood, respond when disasters strike, and jump in to help, and never ask for any thanks in return.  The Red Cross is a group that always seems to be there, and that doesn't happen without a huge effort behind the scenes.

Besides donating blood, you can volunteer to become a blood donor ambassador and help welcome visitors and take their temperatures before they enter a Red Cross building or blood drive. The Red Cross says they also have a big need for transportation specialists to help deliver blood to local hospitals.

In Boise, the Boise Red Cross Blood, Platelet, and Plasma Donation Center is taking appointments for blood donations now.  They're at 5800 Franklin Road (between Phillippi and Orchard), and they're open seven days a week.  To schedule an appointment, click HERE.  At last check, they still had a few appointments left this week, and they're scheduling for next week too.

If you're fully recovered from COVID-19, you can give COVID-19 convalescent plasma, and that could help save the lives of patients battling the disease now.

The Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies, which could satisfy your curiosity if you've been thinking maybe you had it but never had an official diagnosis.  The results of the antibody test are available in your online Blood Donor account one or two weeks after your donation. Plus, the Red Cross will let you know your body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and hemoglobin levels.  What started out as a good deed turns into a bonus health screen for you too.

If you've been on the fence about donating blood, March is a great time to hop off and make the appointment.  The person in Boise who will receive it is counting on it.