With hand sanitizer on every table and volunteers checking temperatures at the entrances, the Carolina Blood Drive continued in its 32nd year despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Carolina Blood Drive is one of the largest annual drives put on by the American Red Cross across the nation, with organizers expecting to complete a goal of 800 units of blood by day’s end in Chapel Hill. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many blood drives across the nation, but the Carolina Blood Drive allowed the local community to come together for a good cause.

“There’s a lot going on and this was one small way that we would be able to give back to the community,” said Jim Potts, the chair of the Carolina Blood Drive planning committee. “We do know that this pandemic has canceled a lot of blood drives.”

To abide by social distancing guidelines, the Carolina Blood Drive shifted its approach to ensure donors would feel safe.

“The Red Cross was on top of it from the very beginning,” Potts said. “Right now we’re checking everyone’s temperature before they enter the building. We’re also asking them the pertinent COVID-19 questions prior to entering, or at least having them review those questions.”

Donors stood six feet apart in line and the distance between beds on the Dean Smith Center floor was increased. Waiting chairs, beds and individual surfaces were disinfected by a waiting team of volunteers at regular intervals as well.

Inside the Dean Smith Center, beds were spaced further apart and donors lined up with six feet of space between them. (Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)

UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz donated blood at the event and thanked those in attendance for their continued support.

“We’re proud to be the host of the blood drive,” Guskiewicz said. “We’ve impacted more than 103,000 lives over the time that we’ve hosted this event going back to 1989. With the pandemic and everything, hospitals are in great need of blood now so it’s probably having the biggest impact that we’ve ever had with it.”

UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz (center) flashes a thumbs up as he donates blood at the 32nd Annual Carolina Blood Drive in Chapel Hill. (Dakota Moyer/Chapelboro.com)

Nearly every bed in the Dean Smith Center was filled, with more potential donors waiting in line. Organizers said they were encouraged with the turnout, especially with UNC students away from campus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re overwhelmed with the response,” said Rhonda Beatty, a member of the Carolina Blood Drive planning committee. “We’ve always had a great showing of support. We’ve got donors who donated at all 32 Carolina Blood Drives who came today. We’ve got young people, we’ve got older people, we’ve got people who would wouldn’t want to be any place else but here today. That means that we’re doing the right thing.”

Those who missed out on the Carolina Blood Drive and would like to donate are encouraged to visit the American Red Cross’ website to find a donation location.

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