News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Blood Assurance reminds you should continue to give blood despite the need for limiting social contact.
Vice President Jay Baumgardner said making an appointment at Blood Assurance Dot Org can protect you.
“We’re trying to make sure that we are being understanding of where people are,” Baumgardner said. “And if you want to stop in, you can see if it looks busy. You can schedule an appointment when you walk in. We’re just to practice common sense like everybody else during this time.”
Baumgardner said COVID-19 does not pass through blood, making blood donations safe. Potential donors along with the Blood Assurance staff are being tested for fever as well as being asked about how they feel.
While some federal health guidelines have asked that non-essential surgeries be postponed over the next few days, Baumgardner said the need for blood remains constant.
“We have to basically have the same amount of blood that we always have to have,” Baumgardner said. “We need people coming in day in and day out to replace and replenish the blood supply.”
Donations since the Tuesday tornado have been well-above normal numbers in Cookeville. Blood Assurance received more than 800 donations in the week after the storm.
Baumgardner said that number topped 250 last week. A normal week in Cookeville will produce about 150 donations.
