LAFAYETTE, LA- This Veterans Day, Vitalant encourages the public to donate blood in honor of veterans who have served the country.
Veterans were willing to give their blood to keep America safe, and one way to honor their service is by donating blood. Donors
who visit the Lafayette donation center at 1503 Bertrand Drive between Saturday, 11/7 and Wednesday , 11/11 will be provided a card on which to write the name of a loved one who is a veteran. These names will be on display within the center through Veterans Day. We encourage donors to make an appointment by visiting vitalant.org or by calling 877-25 -VITAL. Urgent Needs Blood and platelet donations often drop during the holiday months as fewer donors are available because of seasonal activities and illnesses, but this year the outlook is particularly worrisome. With many schools transitioned to virtual learning and businesses in work-from-
home situations, about 1,600 Vitalant blood drives have already been canceled for November and December. Currently there is an urgent need for O-negative blood, the universal blood type that all patients can receive. O-negative donors can maximize their impact by giving a Power Red donation. All Blood Donations are Tested for COVID-19 Antibodies Vitalant continues to test blood and platelet donations for COVID -19 antibodies to find potential donors who could give convalescent plasma in the future. Donors whose blood tests positive for antibodies can help a COVID-19 patient with their plasma while their ot her blood components could help a cancer patient, trauma victim or someone with another serious medical condition. Testing positive for antibodies also puts donors on a unique track to donate convalescent plasma regularly– and join others as part of the COVID Rescue Team– to help even more COVID-19 patients.