FLC Parish Health
PARISH HEALTH MINISTRY MISSION:
OPENING DOORS TO CHRIST BY PROMOTING THE SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF ALL MEMBERS OF FIRST LUTHERAN AND OUR COMMUNITY.
BLOOD DRIVE
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH
BLOODMOBILE
Sunday, December 5, 2021
8:00AM - 12:30PM
Critical Shortage: Vitalant Blood Supply Plummets to Levels Not Seen Since Pandemic’s Start
1,000 additional donors a week needed to ensure patient care
FARGO, ND (Oct. 18, 2021) — Nonprofit blood provider Vitalant has a critical blood and platelet shortage and is urging all eligible donors to make an appointment now. Type O blood, which is the most transfused blood type and is vital to helping patients in emergencies, has plummeted to under a two-day supply – its lowest level since May 2020.
Blood donations are going out to about 900 hospitals Vitalant serves nationwide, including approximately 85 in this region, quicker than volunteer donations are coming in. As people resume routine activities, busy donors are not making enough appointments – or keeping them. Scheduling and keeping donation appointments are both critical to meeting patient needs.
“Compared to the beginning of the pandemic, patient needs are stronger than we expected,” said Cliff Numark, Vitalant senior vice president. “We’re seeking about 1,000 additional volunteer donors to make and keep an appointment each week for the foreseeable future to ensure Vitalant can help trauma victims, cancer patients and critical surgeries.”
Vitalant is also experiencing a critical shortage of platelet donations. Platelets are tiny cells that help blood clot. They must be transfused within about a week of donation and about 50% of platelets are given to cancer patients undergoing treatment.
No waiting period to give after receiving a flu shot or COVID-19 vaccine
Those who receive a Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 vaccine or seasonal flu vaccine can give blood immediately if other eligibility requirements are met. Donors must feel well the day of their donation.
Why should you get the COVID-19 vaccine?
• Protect yourself from COVID-19.
• Support your community. Help keep businesses, schools, and other places open.
• The vaccine is FREE for everyone. Insurance and immigration status does not matter.
• Help put an end to the pandemic.
Keep yourself and others safe It will take a long time for everyone to get vaccinated.
Even after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, you should continue taking basic prevention steps when recommended:
Wear a mask.
Wash your hands.
Stay 6 feet from others.
Stay home if you are sick.
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Parish Health Ministries
Health Care Directives/Advance Care Planning
Advance care planning is the process of making decisions about the care you would want to receive if you are unable to speak for yourself. It guides family and healthcare providers to follow your documented preferences for care. If you have questions regarding your health care directive, call Denise at 847-5656. Your decisions matter! Write your health care directive today.
