Local blood bank testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies
For a limited time, donors curious about their antibody status can find out results and may help immunocompromised patients
– When people donate lifesaving blood through Vitalant they can now learn if they have antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19 and find out if their plasma can be used to help COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems. For a limited time, all donations will be tested and results will be available in donors’ online accounts about two weeks later.
Vitalant can produce convalescent plasma from donations that test sufficiently high for COVID-19 antibodies while red blood cells and other blood components may help trauma victims, cancer patients, and other patients with serious health conditions. The antibodies in convalescent plasma can give COVID-19 patients with weakened immune systems an extra boost to help fight the disease. Learn more at vitalant.org/antibody.
“Many people may be curious about their antibody status as more COVID-19 variants continue to emerge,” said Vitalant Senior Vice President Cliff Numark. “This testing also empowers donors to help the most vulnerable COVID-19 patients with their donation.”
Added benefits of donating blood are a mini-physical and full panel of tests each donor receives, now including antibody testing. The mini-physical check of pulse, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and cholesterol can be tracked with each visit in the donor’s secure and confidential online account.
Upcoming blood drives
In addition to four donation centers along the Central Coast, here are a few upcoming community blood drives:
- Thursday, March 24 – Camarillo Blood Drive, corner of Carmen and Burnley, 2 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
- Friday, March 25 – Idler’s Home, 2361 Theatre Drive, Paso Robles, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
- Monday, March 28 – Doc Bernstein’s Ice Cream, 1425 19th Avenue, Oceano, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 29 – Solvang Vikings, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang, 2 p.m.– 6 p.m.
How to give
To learn more and schedule an appointment to donate, visit vitalant.org or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825). Donors who meet all eligibility requirements can give regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. Donors who’ve recovered from COVID-19 are eligible after a brief waiting period. Masks are optional at Vitalant donation locations except where required by local regulations or blood drive host. Complimentary masks are available at all Vitalant sites.
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