Donate Blood In Castro Valley Ahead Of Holidays

CASTRO VALLEY, CA — The American Red Cross is urging the public to consider donating blood or platelets around Thanksgiving, as the organization expects donations to drop this holiday season.

All blood types are needed, as blood donations tend to decline from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, according to the Red Cross. The organization continues to test for COVID-19 antibodies, as convalescent plasma may help COVID-19 patients still battling the virus, the organization said in a news release. Antibodies indicate a person's immune system has reacted to the virus, but the Red Cross is not offering a diagnostic test.

"Required medical treatments and emergencies don’t pause for the holidays or a widespread coronavirus outbreak," the Red Cross said in the release.

Anyone who donates from Nov. 25 to 28 will get a Red Cross long-sleeve T-shirt while supplies last. There will be social distancing, temperature checks and mandatory mask-wearing.

Donate in Castro Valley from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24 at Castro Valley Church of the Nazarene (19230 Lake Chabot Road).