Giving blood is more critical now than ever
DEARBORN, Mich.— While thousands of blood drives have been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for life-saving blood donations is as critical as ever. Ford and the American Red Cross have two drives scheduled next week in Dearborn.
The American Red Cross and Ford Fund are working to fill the available appointments for June 23 and June 24 at 500 Town Center Dr. between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
"Ford employees have a long history of being passionate blood donors," said Kyle Green, coordinator, Disaster Relief, Ford Fund. "In fact, Ford and its dealerships represent, as a group, one of the top five blood donors to the Red Cross in the country."
When the pandemic hit and stay-at-home orders resulted in closing of schools, churches and office buildings, many blood drives were cancelled. Ford Fund and Ford Land looked at how they could use available office space to keep drives going.
"We wanted to continue our support of the Red Cross by opening one of our facilities to allow the community to safely donate," Green said.
In May, two blood drives were held at 500 Town Center and enough blood was collected to save more than 225 hospital patients who needed blood transfusions.
Ford Fund and Red Cross are hoping for a repeat next week.
"With social distancing guidelines, there are a limited number of spaces available for each time slot," Green explained. "We are encouraging employees to register now to ensure their donation can be taken."
Said Kamenna Lee, vice president of biomedical marketing at the American Red Cross: "There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus, and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come."
Safety protocols during blood drives have been rewritten to ensure donors and staff are protected. These include:
- Checking the temperature of staff and donors before entering the drive
- Providing hand sanitizer for use through out the donation process
- Following social distancing practices
- Increasing enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment
- Staff and donors wearing facemasks
Make an appointment to donate blood by clicking here or call 1-800-RED Cross (1-800-733-2767).
Ford Motor Company, the Ford Motor Company Fund and its dealerships represent, as a group, one of the top five blood donors to the Red Cross. As a member of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program, Ford Fund makes an annual contribution of $500,000 to ensure that the Red Cross is prepared to respond to worldwide emergencies.