Blood donors eligible for free antibody testing next week

By Uvalde Leader-News Staff, September 3, 2020

In response to an urgent need to bolster a low blood supply, Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College in Uvalde will host a blood drive on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will have donation stations at 2623 Garner Field Road, located by buildings 108 through 111.

To thank donors for giving blood, the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center will provide free COVID-19 antibody testing for donors.

“Without blood on the shelves, patients in your community and all across South Texas won’t have the blood they need to survive. As a thank- you for your dedication to maintaining the blood supply in South Texas, we’ll test all blood donations for the antibody to COVID-19 through Sept. 30,” said Imelda Bernardo-Barclift, a donor recruitment consultant for the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

She said the test is free and results will be available on the blood bank donor portal approximately one week after the donation is made.

Donors may visit SouthTexasBlood.org testing for more information on the program, and all blood donations are by appointment only.

The antibody test is not a diagnostic test and is not intended for people who are experiencing COVID19 symptoms or believe they may be infected as it does not test directly for the virus. Anyone with virus symptoms such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath is asked to remain home and to contact his or her physician.

Social distancing will be enforced, with adequate area spacing provided between donor stations. All staff and donors are required to wear face coverings such as a mask. Temperature checks will be in effect at the event as well.

Federal regulations require that donors present appropriate identification before donating, which includes the donor’s name, and either date of birth, Social Security number or photograph.

For more information, or to schedule a donation appointment, contact the office of SRSU vice president Robert Muñoz via email at robert.munoz@ sulross.edu or call 432- 238-6360.

See the original article: https://www.uvaldeleadernews.com/articles/blood-donors-eligible-for-free-antibody-testing-next-week/