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Successful blood drive held at Twin Cities Community Hospital 

–Covid-19 responses have significantly impacted the U.S. blood supply as Vitalant and other blood centers across the country cope with stabilizing blood inventories to meet patients’ transfusion needs. Since the coronavirus pandemic started, Vitalant—the nation’s second-largest blood collector—has had nearly 2,000 blood drives canceled, resulting in more than 57,000 uncollected blood donations.

But on Tuesday, Twin Cities Community Hospital and the community came together – within social distancing parameters – and helped Vitalant reach its goal of 26 pints collected at the Blood Drive. Up to three lives could potentially be saved by one donation, so that’s potentially 78 lives.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood as it is an essential activity, even amidst COVID-19 response measures. “In healthcare settings all across the United States, donated blood is a lifesaving, essential part of caring for patients,” the CDC declared in a March 19 statement. “CDC is supporting blood centers by providing recommendations that will keep donors and staff safe…and encouraging donors to make donation appointments ahead of time.”

“Social distancing does not need to mean social disengagement,” said Dr. Jerome Adams, U.S. Surgeon General, as quoted on the Vitalant website. “You can still go out and give blood.”

As a reminder, sick people should not donate blood as blood centers do not test for COVID-19 or the virus that causes it. Blood centers have always required individuals to be in good health to donate, and the blood collection process follows policies established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the health and safety of donors and patients. Vitalant staff follow rigorous safety, disinfection, and distancing protocols at its blood drives and donation centers. Giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system.

 

Submitted by Tenet Health

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The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.