Another benefit to giving:

American Red Cross offers COVID-19 antibody testing to blood donors

by Marianne Gasaway

Giving blood has always been about making a difference in the lives of others.  Now, the American Red Cross is offering an additional health service to its donors.

For a limited time, all blood, platelet and plasma donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.  The free testing may provide critical insight into whether donors may have possibly been exposed to this coronavirus.

“We recognize that individuals and public health organizations desire more information about COVID-19, and as an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is fortunate to be able to step up to help during this pandemic,” said Laura McGuire, Communications manager for the organization.

The COVID-19 antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.  Red Cross donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within seven to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or on its donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

The Red Cross stresses that it is not testing donors to diagnose illness, including COVID-19.

“If you feel unwell for any reason, please postpone your donation,” said McGuire.  “Individuals who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should not present to donate until they are symptom free for 14 days and feeling well and healthy.”

The Red Cross has been offering the test for COVID-10 antibodies since June 15 and it was part of

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a blood drive held yesterday (Tuesday, July 14) at Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake.  The organization expects to offer the test throughout the summer months, and will evaluate over the coming months if it is able to continue testing dependent on available funding and the evolving needs of the pandemic.

Red Cross officials stress there is an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to McGuire, in recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30 percent after sharply declining in early April amid the rapidly changing and complex public health crisis.

At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed.

“There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross urgently needs the help of donors and blood drive hosts to ensure blood products are readily available for patients,” said McGuire. “While tens of thousands of donors gave blood in response to an initial blood shortage caused by this coronavirus outbreak, it’s important to remember that red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days, so they must constantly be replenished.”

Each day, the American Red Cross needs to collect nearly 13,000 blood donations and more than 2,600 platelet donations to meet the needs of patients at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

Donors can use the Red Cross Blood Donor App, schedule online or call 1-800-RED CROSS to make an appointment at a nearby blood drive or donation center.  A successful donation is needed to receive an antibody test result.  The Red Cross will return to Zion Lutheran Church in Clear Lake Nov. 3, 2020.

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