Blood Assurance is making an appeal for millennial and Gen Z donors due to low donor turnout and continuous blood drive cancellations throughout their schools and work places.
High school-aged donors are down from 16% to 4% of the blood donor population this year, according to Blood Centers of America.
Blood Assurance is critically low on O-negative, O-positive, B-negative, B-positive, A-negative and A-positive blood.
“COVID-19 has limited our ability to collect at schools, manufacturing plants and offices,” says Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance. “We need younger donors to come out in full force to ensure we have what we need for our local patients.”
High School students who donate twice through Dec. 31 will be entered to win a new PlayStation 5.
Blood Assurance is continuing to take extra precautions at this time to ensure the safety of donors and staff. Staff and donors are required to wear masks and staff are frequently disinfecting all of the items and surfaces donors use.
They are also accepting donors only by appointment, and these appointments are being spaced apart to ensure adequate distance.
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health.
To schedule an appointment or find a donor center or mobile drive, visit www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800 962-0628 or text “BAGIVE” to 999777.
Source: Blood Assurance