Tuesday marks the 32nd annual Carolina Blood Drive hosted by the American Red Cross at the Dean E. Smith Center, an event facing new challenges in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
In a recent interview with 97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck, Regional Donor Services executive for the American Red Cross of Eastern North Carolina, Garrett Reid, spoke at length about how the current crisis has made this year’s Carolina Blood Drive more important than ever.
He said because the pandemic has shut down the businesses, schools and churches typically used by the Red Cross as hosts for its blood donation events, meaning there have been less opportunities in recent months to collect the supplies the organization needs.
With that in mind, Reid said the timing of Tuesday’s event could not be any better.
“It’s a unique year for the Red Cross, for the country as a whole and for the nation’s blood supply,” Reid said. “We typically have a decline in donations during the summer months, so this drive has always been critical to making sure we have those units on the shelves for our hospitals.”
The Carolina Blood Drive is one of the largest annual drives put on by the Red Cross across the nation, with the ability to process around 1,000 donors throughout the entirety of the day. Because of the pandemic, there is uncertainty whether that entire quota will be filled. Reid, however, said organizers are hoping to collect at least 700 units for local hospitals to make up for some of the missed opportunities earlier in the year.
He also stressed safety of the donors, volunteers and staff is a top priority during this event, with plenty of measures being taken to accomplish that goal.
“That’s been a big, unique challenge for us during COVID-19 in general,” Reid said. “We’ve increased our safety and protocol, which includes masks for donors and staff as well as focusing on enhanced PPE and sanitation. This drive was no different. However, because of the volume there have been some unique focus that we’ve had to create. Which includes using the great Dean Dome Center to be able to add social distancing.”
Potential donors on are encouraged to make appointments to help ensure proper social distancing and safety protocols can be carried out effectively. Safety screenings, temperature checks and a few, short health questions will await all individuals who wish to donate upon their arrival at the site.
Walk-in donors will still be accepted, however, provided they go through all of the necessary screening.
An infographic outlining the precautions Red Cross Blood Drives are taking amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo via the American Red Cross.)
All blood types are needed and accepted, but Red Cross regional executive Barry Porter said Type O—both positive and negative—is the most important.
“Part of the reason we put out media messaging earlier was about the diversity need in our blood donations,” Porter said. “We’re really encouraging a diverse donor pool because our specific needs within race and ethnicity are important. If you’re Type O positive or negative, please make sure you come out and help save a life.”
While this will be one of the most abnormal Carolina Blood Drives held, its ultimate goal hasn’t changed—with the community still expected to show up and do their part to help those in need.
“You’ll go into the typical, standard donation process with a couple of extra safety checks along the way,” Reid said. “But, really come out and expect to have a great time. A lot of smiling faces will be behind masks this year, but they will be smiling I assure you.”
The 32nd annual Carolina Blood Drive will run Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Photo via Jon Gardiner/UNC-Chapel Hill.
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