More Merced and Stanislaus blood donors, medical supplies needed amid pandemic, officials say
Officials at Vitalent, the nation’s second largest blood collector, are hoping more residents in Merced and Stanislaus counties step up to donate amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Despite having been deemed an essential service, blood donation collectors nationwide have suffered thousands of lost blood units from canceled drives amid coronavirus concerns.
The nation’s lead blood collector, the American Red Cross, had at least 4,500 drives canceled due to COVID-19, resulting in about 150,000 less donations, The New York Times reported. Meanwhile, Vitalant, had to cancel at least 2,000 drives, leading to more than 57,000 uncollected blood donations, according to its website.
Blood donation drives often take place at schools or businesses. Recent closures and social distancing measures prevented many such drives from taking place.
Drew Fowler, Vitalant’s marketing and communications manager, said people have recently answered blood collectors’ pleas for life-saving donations.
Vitalant’s Merced location at 382 East Yosemite Ave. saw 150 more donors in March than February. That happened even as Preventative coronavirus measures became increasingly stringent state and nationally. The additional donors represented “a significant increase of 85%,” according to Fowler.
“We’ve had a really great outpouring of generosity . . . from both old donors and new donors,” Fowler said. “That massive outpouring really helped us stabilize our blood supply.”
Also, donations rose 32% this March in Merced compared to last year, according to Fowler. Total donors this March rose to 326, up from 247 the previous year.
“We’ve seen a lot of the community good sort of come out during this whole thing,” Fowler said. “(For) a lot of people who feel a little bit helpless . . . this is just an easy, safe way to help that a lot of people are jumping at it and taking advantage of it.”
The goal now, however, is maintaining that initial outpouring of generosity as coronavirus continues to run its course over the next days, weeks and months.
“We’re able to provide the amount of blood that hospitals need at this point — that’s the really good news,” Fowler said. “The worrisome thing on the horizon is, can that supply sustain itself?”
Blood donations have a shelf life. While plasma lasts about a year, donations of red blood cells are usable for 42 days and platelets expire after only five days. This makes replenishing crucial.
Fowler also said Vitalant has been approached about providing blood plasma from coronavirus survivors for convalescent plasma treatment. The approach treats active COVID-19 cases with antibodies in survivors’ blood, but is not yet proven to be effective.
Donations at Vitalant in Merced serve most of the area hospitals, including Mercy Medical Center.
How to donate blood and supplies
Merced area residents able to donate blood at Vitalant are asked to call (877) 258-4825 and schedule an appointment. Scheduling in advance allows donations to be staggered, protecting donors and staff with social distancing guidelines.
Donors’ temperatures are screened prior to entering Vitalant. Cleaning efforts have increased on site, and staff who feel ill are staying home.
Fowler said donors shouldn’t feel discouraged if they’re unable to secure an appointment immediately, and that scheduling further out is just as helpful.
Donors can also give blood in Merced April 15 at an American Red Cross drive hosted by Assemblyman Adam Gray at the Italo-American Lodge on 1351 W 18th St. Appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gray, along with Valley officials and the North Valley Labor Federation, are also launching a Central Valley Personal Protective Equipment Initiative to collect medical supplies for first responders and health care professionals.
Needed new or unused items include masks (especially N95 respirators), eye protection (plastic face shields and non-ventilated goggles), surgical gowns, shoe covers, disposable caps, surgical gloves, ventilators, medical thermometers and antibacterial cleaning wipes.
Pick-up is available for bulk donations or those unable to drop off their items, but geographic restrictions may apply. To schedule a pickup, drop-off, or for questions, email cv.ppe.drive@gmail.com or call or text (209) 259-3856.
Donations can be dropped off at any of the times and locations below.
MERCED – Salvation Army, 1440 W. 12th St., Merced, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
TURLOCK – Monte Vista Chapel, 1619 E. Monte Vista Ave., Turlock, Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
MODESTO – Crosspoint Community Church, 1325 12th St., Modesto, Tuesday and Thursday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
STOCKTON – Laborers Local 73, 3984 Cherokee Rd., Stockton, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 12:29 PM.
