Marsh Regional Blood Center resumes public blood drives, maintains COVID-19 precautions
Published 10:15 am Thursday, May 21, 2020
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JOHNSON CITY — To replenish blood supplies that have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Marsh Regional Blood Center has resumed its community-wide blood drives.
Even as the Appalachian Highlands cautiously continues its reopening efforts, physical distancing guidelines and the closure of schools and other local organizations have significantly impacted the region’s blood supplies.
“At the beginning of this pandemic, when we were first concerned about a blood shortage, new and returning donors came out in force to give,” said Don Campbell, director of Marsh Regional. “Their selfless actions during that time undoubtedly helped prevent an unprecedented blood shortage— and now, it’s time to do it again.
“As hospitals and health systems have resumed normal operations, we have a growing need for blood, even as blood drives are cancelled.”
Marsh Regional continues to take appropriate measures to reduce donors’ potential exposure to COVID-19, as well as extra disinfection and sanitization efforts. Donors will receive individualized directions to maintain proper physical distancing measures, including a new requirement for donors to make an appointment before giving at any of its collection centers and many of its mobile drives.
COVID-19 does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives. Blood donation centers always take steps to prevent team members and donors who are not feeling well or who have a fever from reaching the donor area, and they are now taking additional physical distancing precautions wherever possible.
“If you’re healthy, feel well and haven’t been exposed to COVID-19, we need you to donate now,” Campbell said.
Community blood drives will be held:
Thursday, May 21
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sapling Grove Urgent Care, Bristol, Tenn.
Open by appointment only. Please call 276-494-1225 to schedule a donation time.
Thursday, May 21
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sullivan County Highway Department, Blountville
Thursday, May 21
Noon-6 p.m.
Food City, Coeburn, Va.
Thursday, May 21
3-7 p.m.
Rugby Volunteer Rescue Squad Fire Station, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
Open by appointment only. Please call 276-494-1225 to schedule a donation time.
Thursday, May 21
4:30-8 p.m.
South Holston Ruritan, Bristol, Tenn.
Open by appointment only. Please call 276-494-1225 to schedule a donation time.
Tuesday, May 26
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport
Tuesday, May 26
Noon-7 p.m.
Food City, Chilhowie, Va.
Wednesday, May 27
8 a.m.-noon
Henard Metal Fabricators Inc., Kingsport
Wednesday, May 27
7-10:30 a.m.
Crown Laboratories, Johnson City
Wednesday, May 27
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Jonesville, Va.
Wednesday, May 27
Noon-5 p.m.
Home Shopping Network, Piney Flats
Thursday, May 28
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
DialAmerica, Johnson City
Thursday, May 28
Noon-4 p.m.
Marion Mold & Tool Inc., Marion, Va.
Open by appointment only. Please call 276-494-1225 to schedule a donation time.
Friday, May 29
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Marsh Regional Blood Center Collection Center, Bristol, Tenn.
Friday, May 29
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Carter County Bank, Elizabethton
Friday, May 29
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Walmart, Rogersville
“We’re always grateful for our loyal blood donors, and welcome new donors to our centers and blood drives,” Campbell said.
As many as three lives can be saved each time someone donates blood —and donations to Marsh Regional stay local to help people in the Appalachian Highlands.
Marsh Regional supplies blood to 28 regional medical facilities, all regional cancer centers and five air rescue bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.
To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. People with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters or who are taking antibiotics may not donate. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.
In addition to the scheduled blood drives, donors are welcome at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport; 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City; and 1996 W. State St., Bristol.
For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 423-282-7090 or visit www.marshblood.com.
