A local blood bank is sending out an urgent request for blood donations amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Nebraska Community Blood Banks says they're facing a shortage of blood and platelet donations.
NCBB says their need for blood is constant, but due to the pandemic, many drives have been canceled or postponed. They say to replenish supplies for Nebraska hospitals, trauma centers, and air ambulance bases, more healthy donors are needed at blood drives and donor centers in the coming weeks.
Nebraska Community Blood Bank says they also continue to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma at their 84th & O location in Lincoln and their Omaha donor centers. They are collecting the plasma of COVID-19 survivors in order to build up the public supply of the potential treatment for patients with severe or life-threatening cases of coronavirus.
More than 50% of the blood supply was lost when community blood drives were cancelled due to COVID-19 this year, and NCBB says they have a less than a 3-day supply of all blood types. Blood drives are resuming, with additional precautions at all donation sites; appointments are preferred to help maintain social distancing, and donors are required to wear a face mask or face covering.
NCBB says they have a COVID-19 self-screening policy in addition to general eligibility guidelines. In general, you may be eligible to donate if you are:
- In good health
- 17 years or older— or 16 with written parental consent
- At least 110 pounds
- Free of antibiotics for 24 hours, unless taken for preventative reasons
- Symptom-free for at least 72 hours following a cold or flu
Upcoming blood drives are as follows:
- 11/18/20
- 333 South 13th Street Lincoln, NE
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- 11/21/20
- Courtyard by Marriott Omaha Aksarben Village Omaha, NE
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- 11/23/20
- 331 N Nance Osceola, NE
- 8:00 AM -1:00 PM
- 11/24/20
- 1005 Duke Dr. York, NE
- 10:00 AM -3:00 PM
Appointments can also be made online at NCBB.ORG or by calling 1-877-486-9414.
(Photo by Getty Images)