File photo from JC Radionian Student Newspaper 2018: Jones College student, Olivia Harrison gives blood at the JC blood drive. Photo by JC student photographer, Sydney Dickerson.
ELLISVILLE – Jones College is hosting a community-wide blood drive on Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23, in the D.O. Thoms P.E. Building located along Augusta Street in Ellisville. Vitalant strongly encourages blood donors to make and keep appointments to give blood between 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Scheduling appointments can be done on the website, www.bloodhero.com with the Sponsor Code: JC1. Appointments can also be made by contacting Jones College Blood Drive Coordinator and EMT instructor, Benji Sessums at 601-477-4704.
“It is very important that we have as many donors as possible at the upcoming blood drive at Jones College because donations are currently running short,” said Sessums. “Also, we have an exciting benefit for everyone who donates; they will receive the COVID 19 antibody screening. Individuals who have significant levels of antibodies will be contacted by the blood service and asked to schedule a time to give Plasma to treat patients with COVID 19.”
Following CDC guidelines regarding the prevention of the COVID 19 virus, all donors will be asked to wear masks and practice physical distance requirements to ensure the safest environment possible. Vitalant staff are also required to wear masks/face coverings and will have masks available for donors who do not have a mask of their own. However, if a donor is unable to wear a covering or mask, please plan on donating on a later date. Vitalant will need donations in the coming weeks and months.
“Additionally, we want donors to know their temperature will be taken at check-in. Those with temperatures higher than 99.5 will not be allowed to donate or remain at the site. We are setting up larger waiting areas with chairs six feet apart and providing individually packaged snacks and beverages. We are also limiting the number of people in the waiting areas to adhere to physical distancing guidelines,” said Sessums.
Donors arriving at Jones College are advised to wait for their appointments in their cars or other comfortable and convenient locations. Donors have the option to receive a phone call or text notification when it is time to donate when they make their appointment.
To view Vitalant’s current, up-to-date guidelines to support the health and safety of donors and staff, visit the Vitalant website, https://www.vitalant.org/COVID-FAQs or call Vitalant Donor Recruitment Representative, Sara Dyess at 601-602-5969.