Blood donation centers in need

Like the rest of the world, Central Texas is in need of necessities, and just not groceries. We Are Blood is the blood bank that supplies needed lifesaving blood to this area. And they are in dire need.

Yes, the coronavirus is scary, but this is compounded by the usual cold and flu weather, the time of the year when sickness, with sniffles and fever affects us all. One family member will get it, and then the whole family succumbs.

But this year it is different. There’s the usual needs for blood, but with work from home orders, many blood drives are not happening. These are critical for this area for donors, but it is not happening.

“It’s a changing situation and we try to keep updated locally with news from the surgeon general. So many people are working from home… We aren’t seeing donors because of the challenging situation. We would normally see them at work, commuters, people from outlaying areas, like Wimberley,” Tom Meade, Donor Engagement Manager of WAB said.

“We’re seeing half as many donors. We had 50 drives scheduled from March 10 through April 10. Half of the drives canceled.”

There might be fears but the FDA has found no evidence that coronavirus is transmittable via transfusion. Likewise, their blood donor screening measures reliably prevent individuals who are not feeling well from donating blood.

In addition to WAB clinics usual safety measures, more stringent measures have been taken including:

• Donation appointments have been made mandatory at the donor centers and mobile drives to avoid crowding.

• Every donor is directed to use WAB provided hand sanitizer at registration at all donor centers and mobile drives before they check-in and begin the registration process.

• Every donation bed, interview booth, questionnaire computer, and squeeze ball at all donor centers and mobile blood drives are wiped down and cleaned after each donor’s use.

• All donor center and mobile blood drive waiting rooms and canteen recovery areas are wiped down and cleaned every hour.

• Health and wellness screenings are conducted on each potential donor to prevent those not feeling well from donating.

• Donors are encouraged to maintain 6 feet social distancing in the waiting and canteen areas by staff and signage. Furniture has been arranged at all three of our donor centers to provide sitting opportunities 6 feet apart.

• Social distancing is encouraged and maintained when possible between staff and donors. Staff are instructed to step away from donors after the donation process has begun, only coming within six feet to place the donation needle, take vitals, disconnect, and make adjustments.

Theses safety measures and others were taken with WAB closely following the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines and recommendations on the steps to help prevent coronavirus exposure and are constantly checking to be up to minute on the latest measures.

There are numerous blood drives in the area, including San Marcos and in Kyle within the next couple weeks, including one in Driftwood.

For more information on locations to donate or the latest on We Are Blood, see their website at weareblood.org