FAYETTEVILLE – March 19, 2020 – Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is in desperate need for blood donors due to an increasing blood shortage caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Blood donor centers nationwide are facing similar shortages as cancelled blood drives, travel restrictions and social distancing measures take effect. COVID-19, commonly called coronavirus, does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or to patients receiving transfusions.
The Blood Donor Center is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Association of Blood Banks, so donor screening measures are already in place. They include prohibiting people with respiratory infections and those who recently traveled abroad from donating.
The center is urging eligible people to donate, because the facility supplies all blood products to Cape Fear Valley Health hospitals in Cumberland, Bladen, Hoke and Harnett counties.
The Blood Donor Center is located in Bordeaux Shopping Center, 3357 Village Drive, and is open for appointments. To make an appointment to donate blood, call (910) 615-LIFE or email savingliveslocally@capefearvalley.com.
Extra precautions are being taken to distance donors throughout the donation process. Donating is safe, simple, and can save up to three lives per each donation.
Donors will be entered to win a Samsung 55” Ultra HD Smart LED TV and gift basket! Center hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.