RICHMOND, Va. -- January is National Blood Donor Awareness Month and the Red Cross is encouraging people to donate if they they can.
In addition to the pandemic, emergencies don’t stop and the need for blood donations is constant.
Jonathan McNamara with the Virginia chapter of the Red Cross says it’s important to remember, local hospitals aren’t just treating COVID patients.
“We’re also still dealing with trauma patients, car accidents, cancer patients, patients with sickle cell anemia, who can’t wait for blood as a part of their treatment," said McNamara. "So donors in our community, who help the Red Cross and support our efforts are essential to making sure we don’t have a second healthcare crisis.”
The Red Cross has established safety protocols for donors and their volunteers, and every single donation is tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Those donations, in some cases, are being used for convalescent plasma treatment for ICU patients.
McNamara says their staff and volunteers have been working incredibly hard.
So, in the latest edition of CBS 6 Gives, with the help of our friends at Virginia Credit Union, we are making a financial donation to support the local volunteers and staff who are doing this vital work.
"I’m planning on giving blood this week, and encourage those who are comfortable to do the same," said CBS 6 anchor/reporter Jake Burns.
If you would like to give blood, you can make an appointment here.
You can watch previous CBS 6 Gives segments here.
CBS 6 Gives is made possible by Virginia Credit Union. Have an idea about who we should surprise next,
click here to email our team.
