Local residents are invited to provide backup to their favorite emergency
services agency this week as part of the July Community Blood Drive.
The “Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive is sponsored by the
Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary and Vitalant Blood Services. Times are 12
p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday,
July 16, at the East Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center.
As part of the “Battle of the Badges” blood drive, local EMS,
law enforcement and fire will compete for the most blood donations. Participants
can mention who they would like to support; donors will also receive free
COVID-19 antibody testing.
Residents should not donate if they are sick or are awaiting SARS-CoV-2
swab testing results to explain a recent illness, or if they have had
contact with a COVID-19 positive individual.
The antibody test does not test for the presence of COVID-19; instead,
the test checks the blood for antibodies that may tell if a person has
had a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Potential blood donors are those 17 years and older who weigh at least
110 pounds and are in reasonably good health. Those who have visited a
dentist in the past 24 hours or who have taken antibiotics up to three
days prior may not donate.
Donors should eat a low-fat meal prior to giving blood and bring a photo
ID. The virtually painless process takes less than an hour.
The Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary will provide juice and cookies after donations.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call Maggie
Williams at (775) 304-4804.
Donors also may schedule an appointment online by visiting
www.BloodHero.com and referencing sponsor code WINNEMUCCA.
All staff and donors are required to wear masks; appointments are strongly
recommended.
The Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary is one of Humboldt County’s longest
standing and most respected volunteer organizations. In addition to July’s
blood drive, the organization hosts blood drives in March and November
of each year.
Vitalant is a nonprofit organization that collects blood from volunteer
donors and provides blood, blood products and services to patients in
more than 1,000 hospitals across 40 states.