The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is now requiring appointments for blood donations.
Kirby Winn with the blood center says the new policy will limit walk-in donations to help staff at donation centers manage donor flow and appropriate social distancing. "The schedules at donor centers and mobile blood drives are what we are relying on to ensure that we can maintain appropriate social distancing as much as we possibly can during blood collection. So appointments are required, but it also helps us have that confidence we have enough donations coming in to continue meeting the patient's needs."
Winn says as of now, the center is good on blood to help hospitals, but that number can change at any time so donors are still encouraged to give blood.
The Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center serves 115 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. To donate call, 800-747-5401.