Daily Press file photo Collection specialist Consuelo Guzman draws blood from Doctor Tangerine Dupuis of Bellin Health during a Red Cross blood drive in Escanaba. Dr. Dupuis urges community members to donate blood.

ESCANABA — A year ago, many things in the world paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need for blood never stopped. Today blood donations are just as essential, and the American Red Cross continues urging individuals who are healthy to make an appointment to donate blood.

More donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed now to ensure that patients have lifesaving blood products available for emergencies and everyday medical treatments. Individuals can schedule a blood donation appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Because March is Red Cross Month, and the Red Cross is celebrating blood, platelet and plasma donors for stepping up to meet the constant need for blood amid the pandemic. Anyone who donates between March 15 will receive an exclusive Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Due to the unique challenges of the pandemic, the Red Cross has put safety protocols in place to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure that patients get the types of blood needed to battle the infection, if needed.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for high levels of COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at ­RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, like the diagnostic tests offered by healthcare providers. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the standards of safety and infection control and has implemented additional precautions — including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff — to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming local blood drives include:

Escanaba

March 16 — 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Delta Plaza Mall, 301 N. Lincoln

March 30 — 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Delta Plaza Mall

March 31 — 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Delta Plaza Mall

April 1 — 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Learning Resource Center, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd.

April 6 — 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Delta Plaza Mall