System News

Roper St. Francis Healthcare, in partnership with other local healthcare providers and the Blood Connection, will be hosting a large community blood drive at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

All donors will receive a $10 Visa card in addition to COVID-19 antibody testing, which is not a diagnostic test for COVID-19, not does it provide an individual’s immunity to the virus. Research of antibodies still is being conducted.

You can make an appointment to donate call 800-392-6551.

“Given the COVID-19 crisis as well as the potential for a significant increase in cases in the Lowcountry, Roper St. Francis Healthcare is taking every step possible to ensure we are prepared to continue caring for our community,” said Dr. Rick McEvoy, medical director for pathology, oncology and lab at Roper St. Francis Healthcare. “Part of those preparations are ensuring an adequate blood supply for all patients, so we encourage community members who are able to consider donating with the Blood Connection. Blood donated locally will be used right here in the Lowcountry to save lives.”

These special precautions will be taken during this drive to limit exposure and encourage social distancing:

• Donors will be asked to wait in their cars to eliminate the need for people to gather in the same area before their donation.
• Donors will be contacted via call or text when The Blood Connection is ready to start the donation process.
• All The Blood Connection staff will be wearing masks. Donors are encouraged to wear masks, however, they will not be provided.
• Donor chairs will be spaced as far apart as possible.
• The Blood Connection will be limiting the number of people on a mobile and inside.

Signage will direct donors to the drive entrance and free parking will be available.

The Blood Connection emphasizes these facts about donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• There have been no reported or suspected cases of transfusion-transmitted COVID-19, According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC). Individuals are not at risk of contracting COVID-19 through the blood donation process or via a blood transfusion, since respiratory viruses are generally not known to be transmitted by donation or transfusion.
• The Blood Connection follows appropriate infection control standards of donor rooms and mobiles, which include sanitation of donor waiting rooms and donation chairs. The Blood Connection has increased decontamination of surfaces in centers and on blood mobiles.
• The Blood Connection staff will complete a full health screening for all donors prior to donating blood. This includes a questionnaire (which includes travel questions), temperature check, and mini-physical.
• America’s Blood Centers and the FDA have both stated that a blood drive is not considered a mass gathering or an event, as donating blood is an “essential civic duty.”
• Blood centers are not healthcare providers and thus do not provide COVID-19 diagnostic tests.