AVMC Hosts Community Blood Drive Amidst Blood Shortage

June 25, 2021, Lancaster, CA – Right now hospitals across the country, including Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC), are managing critically limited supplies of blood products as a result of a national blood shortage. We are asking for your support to rebuild our blood inventory and help us provide the best possible care for our community.

Blood shortages can have a significant impact on patient care, so a more stable blood supply means better medical care for patients and a quicker recovery. The American Red Cross, AVMC’s primary supplier of blood products, is facing a severe blood shortage as the number of trauma cases, organ transplants and elective surgeries rise across the country, depleting the nation’s blood supply. Eligible individuals are asked to make an appointment to give now and help save patient lives.

There are a few ways to help combat this severe blood shortage:

1. If you are eligible to give blood or platelets, make an appointment to give now using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Please use sponsor code: AVMC for AVMC’s blood drive on June 29th, or look up other blood drives in your area.
2. Encourage others to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

As a community, we must come together to take care of one another, especially those most vulnerable among us----donations will help replenish the blood supply. I hope that you will join Antelope Valley Medical Center in helping ensure that blood continues to be available for patients with serious medical needs now and throughout the summer.

For a limited time, the American Red Cross will test blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Donors who are fully vaccinated will no longer be required to wear a face mask. Only those feeling healthy and well should present to donate and appointments are strongly encouraged.

Media is invited to interview participants, including AVMC team members and American Red Cross representatives; and take photos of the blood drive.

What:
Community Blood Drive

When:
Tuesday, June 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Where:
Antelope Valley Medical Center’s Community Resource Center (next to City of Hope)
44151 15th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534

Contact:
To make an appointment, go to www.RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: AVMC. Donors will receive a $5 Amazon Gift Card.
For more information, contact Bob Woodall, Red Cross at 661-477-9138