Urgent need to donate blood during pandemic

Social distancing and the cancellation of many blood drives has created an urgent need for healthy, eligible people to donate blood. Maintaining a stable blood supply during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial. 

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Blood donations assist patients diagnosed with cancer, accident and burn victims, and heart surgery and organ transplant patients. 

Any WVU Medicine employee who is able to do so is encouraged to schedule an appointment to donate blood through the American Red Cross. Plasma and platelet donations are also needed. Learn more about the types of blood donations.

Danielle Conaway, a communications specialist in WVU Medicine Marketing and Communications, recently donated blood for the first time. “I’ve always had a slight fear of donating blood that kept me from ever trying,” Conaway said. “But I figured this pandemic was as good a time as any to rise above that anxiety and help someone else with my blood donation.”

By making an appointment to donate blood, social distancing will continue to be practiced with fewer people present in the donation area. The American Red Cross already has infection control practices in place that make it safe to donate blood. 

Blood drives (by appointment only) are being held at the WVU Alumni Center on April 16, 22, and 27 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org. Any WVU student who donates blood will receive four credit hours on iServe. All presenting donors will receive a $5 Amazon e-gift card by email.

Learn more about the coronavirus and blood donations, eligibility to donate blood, and what to expect during the blood donation process.