NEW ORLEANS – It’s all too easy to tune out recurring news reports about critically low levels of medical blood supplies across the country. But for patients and families of patients who have an urgent or ongoing need for blood, the issue is very real.
To help boost blood supply for communities in the Greater New Orleans region, Ochsner Health is hosting blood drives at several regional locations throughout the month of February. These donation events will feature the Ochsner Blood Mobile, which provides a comfortable and safe place for donations. Donations are also accepted at three local Ochsner Blood Banks up to 6 days a week: Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, Ochsner Medical Center – West Bank Campus and Ochsner Medical Center – Kenner. Days and hours of operation can be found at www.ochsner.org/bloodbank.
“Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the strain on our blood supplies is not letting up,” said Donny Dumani, MD, Medical Director of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Donor Services at Ochsner Health. “Patients who need surgery, transfusions or life-saving emergency services depend on our blood supply, underscoring the urgent need for donations right here in our own community.”
Ochsner announces incentives to increase donations.
As Ochsner invites people in the New Orleans community to roll up their sleeves and make a donation that could save a life, they’re offering new incentives for donors.
- Receive a King Cake! Through Feb. 25, donors will receive a $10 gift card to King Cake Hub, located at 1464 S Broad St, New Orleans, LA 70125. Donors will also have the option to receive a Blood Bank t-shirt instead of the gift card.
- A chance to win Pelicans tickets! All blood donors will be entered into a raffle to win two Pelicans tickets to the following home games: Feb. 10, 12, 14, 15, 17. Drawings will occur two days before each home game, and every donor will be included in every drawing.
All blood types are needed.
All healthy adults 17 years and older are encouraged to donate blood. The need is immediate, and these donations can save lives. Click here to see dates and locations for February donation events.
Those recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or suspected of having COVID-19 due to symptoms can donate blood 10 days after complete resolution of symptoms. Those who tested positive but never had symptoms can donate blood 10 days following the day of their positive test. Those who receive a COVID-19 vaccine can donate blood immediately. However, patients who received a monoclonal antibody infusion must wait three months before donating.
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