Cinnaminson Blood Drive To Strengthen Supply Amid Pandemic

CINNAMINSON, NJ — With the uncertainty surrounding what the cold/flu season will bring amid the coronavirus pandemic, health officials say it’s not just important to get a flu shot. A strong blood supply is also needed, and Cinnaminson residents have their chance to help next week.

The Red Cross will host a blood drive at the Riverton Country Club, 1416 Highland Avenue in Cinnaminson, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 29. Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions— including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public guidance.

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Anyone who can’t make the blood drive can make an appointment can make an appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

The Red Cross will email a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card to anyone who donates blood between Oct. 15 and Nov. 11, courtesy Suburban Propane. Anyone who donates blood in October will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card. Five people will win. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Unite.

Medical experts are urging people to get the flu shot to avoid a flu epidemic on top of the current coronavirus pandemic, the American Red Cross said in a statement. Read more here: Flu Shots More Important Than Ever Amid Pandemic, Virtua Says

According to the most recent numbers provided by the Burlington County Health Department, 342 Cinnaminson residents had tested positive for the coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic. Twenty-eight Cinnaminson residents have died after testing positive for the virus.

Because blood can only be given by those who are feeling well, a severe flu season could create additional challenges to maintaining a sufficient blood supply for hospital patients in need.

There is no waiting period to give blood or platelets after receiving a flu shot as long as the donor is symptom-free and fever-free. There is no risk of transmitting the influenza virus after receiving a flu vaccination. Read more here: Here’s Where To Get Flu Shots Near Cinnaminson

Anyone who has the flu should wait until they no longer have symptoms, have recovered completely and feel well before they donate blood. Anyone who believes they may have the coronavirus should postpone their donation.

The Red Cross is also testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for coronavirus antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, even if that person didn’t show any symptoms. Test results will be available within a week or two. A positive result doesn’t mean the donor has the coronavirus.

Anyone who is identified as having coronavirus antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from coronavirus survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Read more here: First 2 NJ Coronavirus Patients Recover After Plasma Therapy