Volunteer for the April Blood Drive nearest You!

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – One of the multitude of things that COVID-19 has affected over the last year is the collection of life-saving blood and holding of blood drives.

The Food and Drug Administration says that “blood supplies have been dramatically reduced due to the implementation of social distancing and the cancellation of blood drives.” And the American Red Cross has been urging healthy individuals able to donate to do so as often as possible.

Recently, Gridley High School Leadership Class worked together with Vitalant, a non-profit organization that collects blood from volunteer donors, to host a blood drive at the school. “The leadership class organized the blood drive this year because we want to support our local blood banks, especially when their supplies are reduced due to covid. We’re always looking for ways to support the surrounding community and this is a great way for our entire school to participate,” says leadership advisor Jennifer Davidson.

On Tuesday, March 23^rd, Vitalant’s mobile blood collection units parked in front of the high school and leadership students manned the donation check-in station. Students handed out information packets, t-shirts and helped Vitalant staff ensure the safety of all those donating blood through ensuring social distancing and COVID-19 safety precautions were in full effect.

Robin Carter, Donor Recruitment Representative with Vitalant, who worked with Advisors Davidson and Tammy Carr to organize the blood bank said, “You did a great job of recruiting donors. You registered 39 donors and collected 36 life-saving units! There were 28 whole blood donations and 4 double red cell donations.” Carter goes on to say that high school events like this typically have a lot of no-shows or deferrals, and that the amount collected was more than expected. GHS leadership class collected 16 units over their assigned collection goal of 20!

Carter thanked GHS saying, “Again, thank you so much for your support on this life-saving event! Your donations will help patients both locally and beyond!”

The next scheduled blood drive in the Gridley area will be held Thursday, April 29^th, from 2:00 -6:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, 495 Kentucky Street, Gridley.

 

April Blood Drives – Butte/Glenn/Colusa/Yuba/Sutter Counties

For all blood drives:
Face mask/covering is required to donate.  Appointments are requested to accommodate social distancing. To make an appointment, go to donors.vitalant.org or call Vitalant at 530.893.5433.

CHICO
The Hignell Companies Blood Drive
Thursday, April 1
7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Located on the bloodmobiles
1750 Humboldt Road, Chico

Butte Community Employment Center Blood Drive
Wednesday, April 7
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.           
Located on the bloodmobile
North Valley Plaza Mall – 765 East Avenue, Chico

Chico Rotary Blood Drive
Tuesday, April 13
12  - 6 p.m.
Vitalant Donation Center
555 Rio Lindo Avenue, Chico

CSU, Chico Blood Drive
Wednesday, April 14
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.         
Bell Memorial Union Parking Lot
2^nd & Chestnut Streets, Chico

Community Blood Drive
Hosted by Hooker Oak Elementary School
Thursday, April 15
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Located in the bloodmobile
1238 Arbutus Avenue

COLUSA
Knights of Columbus #2145 Blood Drive
Sunday, April 11
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
St. Bernadette’s Hall
735 Ware Street, Colusa

ORLAND
Orland Community Blood Drive
Thursday, April 22
2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Located at the Federated Church of Orland
709 First Street

WILLIAMS
Williams Community Blood Drive
Thursday, April 29
1 – 6 p.m.
Multipurpose Room at Williams Elementary School
1404 E Street, Williams

WILLOWS
Willows VFW Auxiliary Blood Drive
Thursday, April 22
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
525 W. Sycamore Street, Willows