We're posting this important message from the American Red Cross.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is having a significant impact on the Red Cross’s ability to collect blood.
To ensure that a National Emergency is not made worse by a severe blood shortage, the Red Cross is asking the following:
- Give blood yourself (if you are eligible)
- Host a Red Cross blood drive with your employer, your house of worship, community club, etc. Call Lynn Fairfield-Sonn, Regional Philanthropy Officer, American Red Cross, Connecticut and Rhode Island Region, at 860-384-9232 or via email
- To book an appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
As an emergency preparedness organization, the Red Cross has taken additional steps to ensure the safety of staff and donors at each Red Cross blood drive, such as:
- Pre-screening all individuals by checking their temperature before they enter any Red Cross blood drive or donation center, including Red Cross staff and volunteers.
- Following thorough safety protocols including wearing gloves, routinely wiping down donor-touched areas, using sterile collection sets for every donation, and preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub.
- Implementing additional spacing at each blood drive set up to incorporate social distancing measures between donation beds and stations within the blood drive.
- Blood drives are typically only 20-30 people and are not large gatherings.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the operation of blood drives.
Please reach out to Lynn Fairfield-Sonn at 860-384-9232 or via email for specific information around current volunteer needs.