Blood. It’s important and we all know it, but with words like “closed,” “shut down,” “quarantine” and “social distancing” floating around our minds, chances are we’re not thinking about blood. But we should be.
It’s essential to life, much like the essential workers that still get up every day and go to work in the middle of a pandemic. It’s needed, which is why Visit Milwaukee has partnered with the Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin on behalf of Aurora Health Care to host the Hospitality Heroes Blood Drives.
The pandemic has stopped a lot of things, but it hasn’t stopped our need for blood donations.
Due to COVID-19, undoubtedly, fewer people are donating blood and there are fewer opportunities for people to do so. However, giving blood is just as important as ever.
“Blood cannot be stored indefinitely, meaning there is a constant need for donations. Regular donations are required to ensure there is always a supply for those in need,” said Dr. Sahajpal, the Medical Director of the Abdominal Transplant program at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center and part of their COVID-19 response team supporting transplant services, in a press release. “Every two seconds, a patient needs a blood transfusion. Now, more than ever before, we need everyday health care heroes to support blood donation by committing to give during the coming weeks and months.”
In addition, with scheduled surgeries canceled in order to meet the medical demands of the crisis, demand for blood is expected to surge after the pandemic as surgeries are rescheduled.
The first blood drive in the series of Hospitality Heroes Blood Drives took place this Tuesday at The Cooperage. Those who are planning to attend the blood drives are asked to make an appointment to donate in order to ensure the safety and health of everyone involved. Another drive will occur Wednesday at Adventure Rock Milwaukee from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Appointments to donate can be made here. On Thursday, the community will have another chance to donate at Saz’s South Second from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments to donate can be made here. However, for those who aren’t able to make it to the drives, but still want to donate, five other additional drives are tentatively being planned.
“The good news is that because of community support like VISIT Milwaukee’s Hospitality Heroes Blood Drives, coordinated through Aurora Health Care, our blood donations are currently strong and patient needs are being met, even in this exceptional time,” said Versiti’s Regional Manager, Donor Recruitment in a press release last Thursday. The hope with the Hospitality Heroes Blood Drives is that this need will continue to be met. Heroes don’t always wear capes, but sometimes they give blood.
