Sibley, Iowa — The blood supply has really taken a hit, due to COVID. And your chance to help keep the supply up where it needs to be is this Wednesday in Sibley.
The Community Blood Bank’s Rita Nelson tells us about it.
(as said:) “They are one of our good places that hosts blood drives about every two and a half months. We are at Osceola Regional Health Center. We’ll be there from 10:00 to 1:00 and 2:30 to 5. And if somebody wants to schedule an appointment, they can give them a call at the hospital there.”
The number to call is 712-754-5358. Nelson gives us an update on the blood supply, which was recently very low due to COVID.
(as said:) “We were critical early this week, but we’re kind of getting caught up. But if we don’t have blood drives we’ll be back to critical. We just are on that edge. We need about 500 units of blood every week to meet the demands in this area with the 34 hospitals that Community Blood Bank supplies through Sanford and Avera and all the outreach that they do. So we need people to keep coming. It is safe to give blood as long as you are feeling well and healthy and have no symptoms of COVID which are cold or sore throat symptoms, anything like that. You can come out and save a life. In fact, save three lives with each donation that you come out and give.”
Nelson tells us some things to keep in mind before you give blood.
(as said:) “We like to have you bring an ID and we do a pre-screening now for COVID so when you routinely stop and register we get your demographics.. name address phone number that sort of thing… now, we’re taking your temperature at asking you the COVID questions and then everything else is done on the bloodmobile.”
Stephanie Krogman at Osceola Regional Health Center says the Community Blood Bank is the sole supplier of all blood and blood products for Osceola Regional Health Center. She says no hospitals in our area, including Osceola Regional Health Center, receive any blood or blood products from the American Red Cross.
Blood bank officials remind us that all donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. You can donate blood every 56 days. Find more information at cbblifeblood.org.
