Plasma from whole blood donations made through the American Red Cross that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give blood now to help ensure coronavirus patients and others who depend on transfusions have needed blood products this fall.

In April, the Red Cross began collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from previously diagnosed individuals, who could only give at one of approximately 170 Red Cross blood donation centers across the country. Convalescent plasma contains COVID-19 antibodies that may help the most critical patients actively fighting this virus. Now, whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center could be helpful in this effort.

“Donations that come back positive for COVID-19 antibodies now undergo secondary testing to confirm antibody results, and that enables the Red Cross to then potentially use the plasma from those donations for COVID-19 patients,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “With approximately 2% of the U.S. population testing positive for COVID-19 antibodies, every donation is important to ensure patients with coronavirus have access to every treatment option available to them.”

The Red Cross encourages eligible individuals to schedule an appointment, download the free 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.

In thanks, the Red Cross is offering a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card to five lucky winners who
come to give in October. Terms and conditions apply; visit rcblood.org/unite.

Blood Drive Locations in Rutherford County:

• Middle Tennessee Christian School, 100 East MTCS Road Murfreesboro, TN 37129
10/15/2020: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN 37129
10/1/2020: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10/2/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10/4/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10/5/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
10/6/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
10/8/2020: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
10/9/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10/10/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10/11/2020: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10/12/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
10/13/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
10/15/2020: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37129
10/9/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway Murfreesboro, TN 37129
10/1/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.