LAKEWOOD RANCH – After a long awaited 10 months, Suncoast Blood Centers opened its headquarters today.
“Think about giving, especially this time of year, giving the gift of life, to someone else,” said Community Liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers, Joan Leonard.
Suncoast Blood Centers officially christened its new Lakewood Ranch headquarters Wednesday.
But in this pandemic, this story is about blood.
“Right now the United States has a three day supply of blood, we need donors to come out, not only now because of COVID, we need blood donors every day,” said Leonard.
Leonard says only 3 percent of the population donates blood. Adding, there is also a shortage on Convalescent plasma
“If you have recovered form COVID 19, you’re healthy, feeling well over all of your symptoms, you can come in and be the lifesaving gift to someone with a convalescent plasma need, someone that is in the hospital right now,” said Leonard.
If you’re interested in donating you can visit one of five locations on the Suncoast, or visit a mobile location or use their concierge service
“If you are home bound, or you’re working from home now or just out of the convenience and safety, it’s a one on one donation, so you’ll have one of our staff, that drive the bus and their the phlebotomist and they will draw your blood, so social distancing at its best,” said Leonard.
With each donation, donors are screened for COVID-19 antibodies and receive a wellness check.
Suncoast resident, Thomas Crawford, says his life was saved when donating blood when staff noticed irregularities in his pulse, later to find out he had a heart condition.
“I would have never run across this, if I hadn’t given blood,” said Suncoast Blood Centers Donor, Thomas Crawford.
“Every time you do this, you make a difference,” said Crawford.
If you are interested in donating blood, you have to be a minimum of 16 years old, and if your are 16 you will need permission from a parent or guardian.
For more information on Suncoast Blood Center locations, you can visit their website.