Since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support children, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions.
Four blood drives will take place in area cities over the next week.
The first will occur on Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Clow Stamping in Merrifield.
On Thursday, Sept. 3, a drive will take place at the Nisswa American Legion from noon to 6 p.m.
The Pine River State Bank will host a blood drive on Friday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Lastly, Crosslake Lutheran Church will host a drive on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from noon to 6 p.m.
Donors can make an appointment by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.
Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within seven to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.
The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
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