Beginning today and for a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.
Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities, June 15-30:
Boise
6/15/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Boise Saves Lives, 906 W Main St
6/17/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Boise Saves Lives, 906 W Main St
6/20/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sunshine for Claire, 2417 Bank Dr
6/22/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Boise Saves Lives, 906 W Main St
6/23/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bogus Basin Building, 3229 Bogus Basin Road
6/30/2020: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Boise Saves Lives, 906 W Main St
Eagle
6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Eagle United Methodist Church, 651 N Eagle Road
Meridian
6/17/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Foothills Physical Therapy, 904 S Vanguard Way #110
6/29/2020: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Village at Meridian, 3693 E Longwing Lane #110
6/30/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Capital Educators Federal Credit Union, 275 S Stratford Drive
Caldwell
6/26/2020: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Our Lady of the Valley, 1122 W Linden
Nampa
6/19/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Christian Church, 619 12th Avenue S
6/23/2020: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Saint Alphonsus Medical Center Nampa, 4300 East Flamingo Ave.
6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 1829 W Iowa Avenue
Mountain Home
6/20/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Pine Senior Center, 390 N. PINE/FEATHERVILLE RD
Payette
6/23/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., First Baptist Church, 15 N 10th Street
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 public guidance.
