Help ensure a readily available blood supply amid COVID-19 outbreak

NORTH PLATTE — With no known end date to the coronavirus fight, the American Red Cross is encouraging healthy individuals to make appointments to donate blood or plateletsto ensure blood remains readily available for patients who still rely on transfusions.The need for blood for trauma patients, children battling cancer, mothers experiencing childbirth complications, patients with sickle cell disease and others continues. Donated blood has a limited shelf life of 42 days for red cells and just five days for platelets, so the supply must constantly be replenished.Make an appointmentHealthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while atthe drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.  Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employees.  Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 1-15:BrownAinsworth5/6/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ainsworth United Methodist Church, 310 N Woodward Street_______________CherryValentine5/7/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 400 W. 5th St._______________CusterArnold5/11/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Community Center, 204 S Carroll StBroken Bow5/4/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Broken Bow High School Activities Building, 323 North 7th5/13/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Elk's Lodge, 825 S. 10th_______________HookerMullen5/11/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Hooker County Fairgrounds Community Building, 36351 Fairground Road_______________ShermanLoup City5/6/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Loup City Community Center, 803 O St_______________ValleyOrd5/12/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Veteran's Club, 246 S. 15th St.5/14/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Valley County Health System Foundation, 207 S. 26th St.How to donate bloodSimply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPassor use the Blood Donor App.About the American Red CrossThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.