MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Versiti Blood Centers is asking the community to donate blood on Giving Tuesday tomorrow instead of monetary donations.
One blood donation takes less than an hour and can help save up to three lives, a news release said.
“The need for blood never ends, and it is a critical need,” said Dr. Dan Waxman, vice president of transfusion medicine and senior medical officer at Versiti. “Now more than ever, Versiti Blood Centers needs people to step forward for their community and save a life by donating blood. In a year like 2020, when so much feels out of our control, the selfless act of blood donation lets you make a life-saving gift for free.”
While medical technology has provided many life-saving discoveries over the years, there is still no substitute for blood, making it essential to hospitals every day of the year, Versiti said.
Blood is typically used in a patient within 24 to 48 hours of being donated, but it can be safely stored for 42 days until it’s needed.
Social distancing and mask requirements will be in place during donations.
COVID-19 antibody tests are being performed on all donations as part of Versiti’s standard testing.
The test will determine if the donor has antibodies reflective of a past COVID-19 infection.
