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RMC Blood Drive Planned, Special Precautions In Place

Need For Blood Still Urgent

Donating blood saves lives. As the coronavirus pandemic continues, the American Red Cross says there is still an urgent need for blood donations during this challenging time. Since the pandemic began, blood drives across the country have been canceled, leaving the national blood supply low.

Roosevelt Medical Center will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the resident dining room. Participants will enter through the staff dining room (south entrance) and be asked a series of screening questions before donating. They will also have their temperature taken.

“We recognize the community may be concerned about the health and safety of blood donors. We want to assure everyone that donating blood is a safe process and that we are taking every precautionary step in our response to this situation to give donors piece of mind about providing a donation,” said Joann Smith, laboratory manager for RMC.

Representatives from the Red Cross say people should not hesitate to give and receive blood.

At each blood drive, employees follow thorough, extensive safety protocols. The Red Cross and RMC follow the highest standards of safety and infection control using sterile collection sets for every donation, routinely wiping down donor-touched areas and preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub. Workspace areas are also being set up six-feet apart from other donors and hand sanitizer will be available in multiple areas.

“As the number of coronavirus cases continued to grow, there may be fewer people eligible to give. Only by working together can we ensure patients continue to have access to a safe and adequate blood supply in Montana,” Smith added.

To make an appointment, contact JoAnn Smith at RMC at 787-6412 or by email at jsmith@roosmem.org or visit www.redcrossblood. org and enter sponsor code: culbertson to make a donation.

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