Rep. Tony McCombie Promotes Savanna Community Blood Drive on April 19

State Representative Tony McCombie and the City of Savanna are promoting the annual Savanna Community Blood Drive on Monday, April 19th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Savanna Fire Department Truck Bay, 101 Main Street, Savanna.

“The Savanna community steps up the plate every time we host one of these events,” said Rep. McCombie. “Year after year, the communities’ blood donations go toward saving lives. The pandemic continues to create critical need for blood donations. We are grateful for those who step up as heroes.”

For an appointment to donate, please call 815-632-7384 or go to redcross.org. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.  Youth donors (16-24) to the drive will receive a $10 e-gift card as thank you for donating (while supplies last).

Blood donors of all types are urgently needed to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. 

The American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. As part of that effort, plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions.

How to Donate: Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Are you fully recovered from a verified COVID-19 diagnosis? If so, the plasma in your blood may contain COVID-19 antibodies that can attack the virus. This convalescent plasma is being evaluated as a possible treatment for currently ill COVID-19 patients, so your donation could help save the lives of patients battling this disease.  Learn more at:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-donations-from-recovered-covid-19-patients.html