Blood drive benefits DHS football team June 18

Each pint of blood donated at the American Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, June 18, not only will benefit hospitals but the Demopolis High School football team.

The drive will be held at Townsend Automotive from 1-7 p.m. For each pint of blood donated the football team will receive $10. The goal is to have at least 50 successful donors.

In addition, all donors will receive a $5 Amazon gift card via email and will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.

Donors are encouraged to make an appointment by link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=demopolis OR donors can visit redcrossblood.org and enter the sponsor code: Demopolis OR donors can call 1-800-RED-CROSS

While the need for blood remains constant throughout the summer, the Red Cross experiences a drastic decline in because of summer vacation plans. Those who have never given blood before and current donors are needed to donate blood or platelets this summer to help sustain a sufficient community blood supply.

The American Red Cross will be testing all donors for COVID-19 antibodies. These tests screen for antibodies in the blood, which are formed when fighting an infection. An antibody test assesses whether the immune system has responded to the infection, not if the virus is currently present. 

The COVID-19 antibody test is authorized by the FDA and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. 

If donors have questions about eligibility, they can call 1-800-RED-CROSS.