Click Here for these three preparedness steps that are easy ways you can get your household ready for coronavirus and other emergencies.
Blood Donations:
Blood drives are being canceled at an alarming rate due to coronavirus concerns. We understand people may be hesitant to come give blood, but we want to reassure everyone on the precautions our teams are taking to keep you safe. Schedule an appointment here.
During the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the American Red Cross is working to continue delivering our mission, including the collection of lifesaving blood. However, we have had a staggering number of scheduled Red Cross blood drives cancelled as many people are now working from home in support of social distancing.
Disruptions to blood donations can lead to shortages and cause delays in essential medical care. As of 3/18/2020, about 4,500 blood drives, representing approximately 150,000 fewer blood donations, have been cancelled in the U.S. due to COVID-19 concerns.
Like a hospital, grocery store, or pharmacy, a blood drive is vital to ensuring the health of the community, and blood drives are continuing to be held during this challenging time to help meet patient needs. We recommend people leave home only for necessities—be they health care, groceries, or blood donation.
During an NBC News interview yesterday, the U.S. Surgeon General stressed the importance of giving blood and why people should feel comfortable leaving home to do so.
“You can still go out and give blood. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement” - VADM Jerome M. Adams, U.S. Surgeon General
Today, I have two critical requests.
1. We need your help encouraging companies and organizations to continue to hold existing blood drives or schedule new ones.
2. We also need your help to encourage your community to donate lifesaving blood.
To help overcome some of the concerns about collecting blood, the Red Cross has also taken additional steps to ensure the safety of staff and donors at each Red Cross blood drive. These steps and more can be found in What to Know About Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Blood Donation Safety Click Here for more information.
There are several upcoming blood drives scheduled in Jackson County next week, please help promote these upcoming drives:
Eagle Point - Ashpole Center - 17 S. Buchanan Dr.
* Wednesday, April 1st between 1pm to 6pm
Red Cross Donor Center – 1174 Progress Drive, Suite 102 in Medford
* Friday, March 20th between 9am to 2pm
* Monday, March 23rd between 12:30pm to 6:30pm
* Tuesday, March 24th between 1pm to 6:30pm
* Friday, March 27th between 9am to 3pm
* Monday, March 30th between 12:30pm to 6:30pm
Other Medford Community Drives
* Tuesday, March 24th between 1:00pm to 6:30pm, RRMC – Smullin Center, 2825 East Barnett Road
* Monday, March 30th between 9am to 2pm at Ascension Lutheran Church, 675 Black Oak Drive
* Tuesday, March 31st between 9:30am to 3:30pm at Rogue Credit Union, 1370 Progress Drive
Those who are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).