Give Blood, Save Lives, September 26 at the Berkeley Heights YMCA
American Red Cross and medical professionals across the state are desperate to resolve the current critical blood supply shortage in light of COVID-19. To assist, the Summit Area YMCA, in partner with the American Red Cross will be hosting another blood drive at the Berkeley Heights YMCA on Sunday, September 26, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA
Registration is not required, but encouraged (See details below)
Sunday, September 26, 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Interested donors are required to pre-schedule an appointment with American Red Cross here (Search by zip code and enter "07922"), then complete the RAPID PASS health screening prior to your appointment on September 26 to see if you're eligible to donate blood.
To ensure a spot, please make an appointment – walk-ins will be on a first come, first serve if available.
All individuals at blood drives must wear a face mask regardless of vaccination status, effective Aug 9.
The Blood Donation Process
The blood donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average.
Registration
• We’ll sign you in and go over basic eligibility.
• You’ll be asked to show ID, such as your driver’s license.
• You’ll read some information about donating blood.
• We’ll ask you for your complete address. Your address needs to be complete (including PO Box, street/apartment number) and the place where you will receive your mail 8 weeks from donation.
Tip: Download the Blood Donor app. After your first donation, use the digital donor card to scan in at registration.
Health History
• You’ll answer a few questions about your health history and places you’ve traveled, during a private and confidential interview.
• You’ll tell us about any prescription and/or over the counter medications that may be in your system.
• We’ll check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level.
Tip: Speed up your donation by completing a RapidPass® online or on the Blood Donor app on the day of your donation.
Your Donation
• If you’re donating whole blood, a staff person will cleanse an area on your arm and insert a brand new sterile needle for the blood draw. (This feels like a quick pinch and is over in seconds.)
• Other types of donations, such as platelets, are made using an apheresis machine which will be connected to both arms.
• A whole blood donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you’ll be seated comfortably or lying down.
• When approximately a pint of whole blood has been collected, the donation is complete and a staff person will place a bandage on your arm.
• For platelets, the apheresis machine will collect a small amount of blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood through your other arm; this cycle will be repeated several times over about 2 hours.
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the evolving situation regarding the outbreak of COVID-19. While there is no evidence that this coronavirus or any respiratory illness can be transmitted through a blood transfusion, out of the abundance of caution, we are taking actions to help ensure the safety of our donors, recipients, volunteers, staff and the blood supply.
SAFETY FIRST
We understand why people may be hesitant to come out for a blood drive, but blood donation is a safe process, and people should not hesitate to give and receive blood. At each blood drive, Red Cross employees follow thorough safety protocols. In addition to our standard procedures, you will notice the following at your local blood drive:
Pre-Donation Donor Temperature Screening
• All donors will be asked to have their temperature taken before being permitted into the blood drive.
• If a donor has a temperature greater than 99.5°F they will be asked to come back to donate when they are healthy and will be asked to leave the drive.
Enhanced Disinfecting
• Hand sanitizer will be available at check-in, health history and refreshment areas.
• Blood donors will be asked to use hand sanitizer prior to using tablets and laptops.
• Donors beds will be sanitized between every donor.
Social Distancing
• Implementation of separated drive set up to allow as much distance as possible between donors.
Blood Supply Protection
The Red Cross uses safety measures to protect the blood supply from all respiratory viruses including COVID-19.
• In addition to the travel deferral, the health history screening also helps to protect the blood supply.
• Blood is only collected from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation.
• Preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub.
• Call back number, to connect with trained donor counselors, is provided if donor develops any symptoms of illness within the days following donation. Donations from such donors are immediately quarantined and not used.
Staff Wellness and Protection
• All staff and volunteer members will have a temperature check before presenting to work, and they've been asked not to come to work if they are feeling sick.
• Staff will wear gloves throughout entire blood drive, changing gloves between every donor.
Increased Educational Materials
• Donor educational materials on COVID-19.
• Stop sign at entrances to avert ineligible donors from presenting.
For detailed donor eligibility questions, please call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.
Questions? Contact:
Tiffany Escott
Executive Director
BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA
tiffany.escott@thesay.org
(908) 464-8373
SUMMIT AREA YMCA
BERKELEY HEIGHTS YMCA | SUMMIT YMCA | THE LEARNING CIRCLE YMCA
In 1886, we were founded as the Young Men's Christian Association, but today, we are The Y. An association that values, and is made stronger by, its diverse people. We stand for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility — For a better us. We are committed to creating equal opportunity for all regardless of gender, age, disability, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive culture in which our four core values — responsibility, honesty, caring and respect — are integral to everyday operations.
Each year, as one of the area’s leading 501(c)3 charitable organizations, the Summit Area YMCA serves more than 15,000 individuals with our free and fee-based programs and services in an area spanning the New Jersey communities of Berkeley Heights, Gillette, Millburn, New Providence, Short Hills, Springfield, Stirling and Summit. Our history is rooted in working side-by-side with our neighbors to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Through the generosity of our members, donors, and partners, we are able to offer financial assistance for our programs and services to those in need.
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Blood Drive at the Berkeley Heights YMCA...
Sep 26