SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Sioux Falls Community Blood Bank is continuing to hold “pop up” blood drives.
The need for blood continues and many of the usual ways of giving blood aren’t possible because of social distancing requirements due to the coronavirus.
“We are working on many pop-up drives in the month of May, as a significant number of our regular organizational blood drives have been canceled due to COVID-19,” says blood bank director Ken Versteeg. “We will continue to provide links for residents to sign-up for blood drive appointments online, as we feel this is a safe way to control donor flow, provide social distancing and allow staff to disinfect after each blood donation.”
He says they are striving to maintain an adequate blood supply for local patients during this pandemic.
Versteeg says donating blood is a safe way to impact lives in our community, as we continue to follow very strict policies including:
Community Blood Bank staff members are screened daily. Team members only report to work if they are feeling well and healthy.
Staff members wear face masks at all times.
Appointments are the key to ensuring good social distancing and preventing too many donors from gathering together at a time.
Volunteer blood donors must be healthy and not exhibiting signs of cold or flu.
Blood donors are screened at the registration table, temperatures are taken, and then asked key COVID-19 questions.
Hand sanitizer is available for donors at the registration table and on the bloodmobile throughout the donation process.
Staff members sanitize the donation beds and common areas between blood donations.
Blood donor snacks are all prepackaged.
Community Blood Bank follows all blood bank regulations provided by the FDA and AABB (American Association of Blood Banks)
Wednesday, April 29- Berg Auto Mall, (1505 W. Cedar St.), Beresford, SD: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CLICK THE LINK TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/beresfordcommunity
Wednesday, April 29- Sanford Vermillion Medical Center (126 S. Plum St.), Vermillion, SD: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CLICK ON THE LINK TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/vermillionblooddrive
Thursday, April 30- Sioux Falls Holiday Inn City Centre (Downtown), Sioux Falls, SD: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m (Hosted by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce). CLICK THE LINK TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/sfholidayinn
Tuesday, May 5- Beaver Valley Lutheran (26214 484th Ave.), Valley Springs, SD: 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. CLICK THE LINK TO SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/beavervalleylutheran
- Avera McKennan Donor Room (Avera McKennan Plaza 2, 1301 S. Cliff Ave., 3rd floor, donor parking by valet area) Sioux Falls, SD: (Please note changes in donor room hours) Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Due to new hospital policies associated with visitors to the hospital during COVID-19, we will be accepting donors with appointments only in the donor room. PLEASE CALL 605-322-7111 OR CLICK ON THE LINK TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: http://cbblifeblood.org/donate/donation-locations/
- Sanford USD Medical Center Donor Room (1305 W. 18th St. / Main Hospital Locken Lobby, Donors are to use valet parking), Sioux Falls, SD: (Please note changes in donor room hours) Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Due to new hospital policies associated with visitors to the hospital during COVID-19, we will be accepting donors with appointments only in the donor room. PLEASE CALL 605-333-6444 OR CLICK ON THE LINK TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT: http://cbblifeblood.org/donate/donation-locations/
