Illinois State House District 47 issued the following announcement on June 29.
Area residents are encouraged to sign-up to donate blood at an upcoming Blood Drive to be held at the Westmont Center, 1 S. Cass Ave, on Thursday, July 16th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
According to the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unusually large summer need for blood donations. With the resumption of elective surgeries, and a significant decrease in the amount of blood drives happening, the coalition is asking for help in addressing the “critical shortage of blood in Illinois.” Typically 60% of donations come from off-site blood drives, a significant number of which have been cancelled this year, mostly by large businesses whose employees are now working from home.
State Rep. Mazzochi is ensuring citizens that it is safe to donate blood, “The coronavirus cannot be spread through blood donations or transfusions.” The blood drive will have the following additional COVID-19 safety measures:
Temperature will be checked when donors arrive and donors will be asked to wash their hands
Everything will be wiped down to ensure sanitary measures
Donors will be kept as far apart as possible
All donors and crew members will be required to wear masks
In general, donors are required to be in good health and feeling well, be at least 17-years-old (or 16-years-old with parental consent) and weigh at least 110 lbs. Healthy means that you feel well and can perform normal activities. If you have a chronic condition such as diabetes, healthy also means that you are being treated and the condition is under control.
Original source can be found here.
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