In Telecommunications, we work together every day to do important work. But today, we want to accomplish something even more meaningful. If you work in telecom, know someone who works in telecom, or you just want to help your community, please make and keep an appointment to give blood to the American Red Cross. (If the Red Cross does not have appointments available in your area, please use these resources to make an appointment at a blood donation center near you: https://www.vitalant.org/Home.aspx ; https://americasblood.org/for-donors/find-a-blood-center/ ; http://www.aabb.org/tm/donation/Pages/Blood-Bank-Locator.aspx. The Blood Connection is also taking appointments at their facility on Woodruff Rd. Greenville, SC: https://thebloodconnection.org/.) Our goal is for 50 people to pledge SleevesUp for Telecom!
Donating blood products is essential to community health and the need for blood products is constant. Healthy individuals can still donate in areas that have issued shelter in place declarations. The Red Cross follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need.
“You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement.” – U.S. Surgeon General
32,000 units of blood are used every single day in the US, with or without coronavirus. They’ve already had 150,000 fewer donations than normal. There is no substitute for human blood. Coronavirus is passed by droplets from the respiratory tract, in the air, on surfaces, or by direct contact, not by blood. It is safe to give blood. While yes going out is a risk, donor centers take every precaution, they have every reason to protect the health of donors.
There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. So SleevesUp! and help us reach our goal.
Challenge your friends (or anyone for that matter) to a friendly competition! Who will win the battle to do the most social good for your community?
Put your virtual blood drive campaign against one or even multiple other campaigns to see who can recruit more blood donors for the American Red Cross.
