L.A. Care Hosting Holiday Blood Drive to Address Severe Shortage

Red Cross Reports Lowest Blood Supply in More Than A Decade

The nation has seen a 34 percent drop in new blood donors from last year as the pandemic continues to force cancellation of blood drives at schools, colleges and elsewhere.  The American Red Cross says, as a result, it is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade.

Blood donations are desperately needed for accident victims, for planned and unplanned surgeries and for those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or sickle cell disease. That’s why L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, is hosting a blood drive tomorrow at its downtown headquarters.

This is the tenth blood drive L.A. Care has hosted since the pandemic began.

The Red Cross staff continues to follow strict safety protocols, including holding the drive in a large conference room, to allow for social distancing.

Other Red Cross safety protocols include:

  • Both volunteers and donors will wear masks at all times
  • Staff will wear gloves and change them between donors
  • All donor-touched surfaces will be sanitized after each donation
  • Sterile collection sets will be used for every donation
  • Hand sanitizer will be provided for use before entering and throughout the donation appointment 
  • Temperature will be checked before donors enter the blood drive

The American Red Cross will be at:

L.A. Care Health Plan
1055 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, Room 100
Wednesday, December 22
9:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Media welcome 10:00 am – Noon

Sign up to donate here.