Memorial Blood Centers Issues Urgent Call for Blood Donors
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Memorial Blood Centers Issues Urgent Call for Blood Donors
November 18, 2020 (Duluth, MN) – Amid the ongoing challenges of recruiting blood donors during the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofit Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) is facing a shortage of blood and platelet donations.
The need for blood is constant, but due to the pandemic, many drives have been canceled or postponed. To replenish supplies for Twin Cities’ hospitals, trauma centers, and air ambulance bases, more healthy donors are needed at blood drives and donor centers in the coming weeks. Appointments can be made online at MBC.ORG or by calling 1-888-GIVE-BLD (888-448-3253).
Memorial Blood Centers also continues to collect COVID-19 convalescent plasma at all metro donor centers, to build up the public supply of this potential treatment for patients with severe or life-threatening coronavirus disease (MBC.ORG/CPdonor).
More than 50% of the blood supply was lost when community blood drives were cancelled due to COVID-19 this year, and the supply remains low (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.
Blood donation is safe and essential, and MBC has 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 (PDF available on MBC.ORG)
- 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
Visit MBC.ORG to find your nearest drive or donor center, or to make an appointment at one of the public blood drives below.
Between November 20, 2020 and November 30, 2020 as a thank you, all presenting donors will receive pair of holiday themed socks!!
| Date | Sponsor | Location | City | Time |
| 11/19/20 | UMD Housing and Residential Life | Lake Superior Hall 143 | Duluth | 12:00pm-7:00pm |
| 11/23/20 | Holy Angels Catholic Church | 60 Hartman Dr | Moose Lake | 11:00am-5:00pm |
| 11/23/20 | Ioll Designs | 5912 Waseca St | Duluth | 9:00am-3:00pm |
| 11/30/20 | KBJR | 800 W Railroad St | Duluth | 11:00am-7:00pm |
About Memorial Blood Centers
Memorial Blood Centers (MBC) has been saving lives since 1948 as an independent nonprofit. MBC relies on the local community to donate blood to help ensure a safe and stable blood supply is available to area hospitals and other partners throughout the country. With operations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, MBC is a division of New York Blood Centers Enterprises (NYBCe), serving communities across the country. For more information, call 1-888-GIVE-BLD (1-888-448-3253) or visit MBC.ORG. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.