By Maegan Murray, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities

RICHLAND, Wash. – More than 400 blood drives have been canceled across Washington and Oregon amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many are due to schools going online and closing their physical doors, of which make up 20 percent of all blood drives in the United States. Others are due to businesses having to close their doors. That is why student leaders at Washington State University Tri-Cities and university administration pushed to still hold the drive that would help stabilize blood supply for individuals suffering from cancer, health conditions, serious accidents and more.

β€œWhile individuals may not be receiving blood for the coronavirus, because of the pandemic, many are canceling their blood drives, which has led to a massive shortage,” said Shana Loomis, account manager with the American Red Cross. β€œBlood has a short shelf life and requires a constant supply. Every two seconds, someone in the United States is receiving a blood product.”

Categorized as an essential operation, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities and the Associated Students of ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities held the blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross while still following strict social distancing and best practice health and safety measures.

β€œWe felt that it was something important for us to do,” said Robin Kovis, student body president-elect for the Associated Students of ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities. β€œRight now, we are experiencing a global pandemic and blood is in large need – even more than usual. Blood has a very short shelf life and a lot of people need it. It is important for people, who are willing and able, to give blood.”

Loomis said ΊΪΑΟΙη really paved the way for showing that blood drives were not only important amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but that it is possible to hold them safely while still maintaining best health and safety practices and social distancing.

β€œI am grateful to ΊΪΑΟΙη For continuing with the blood drive, as well as their efforts to get the word out to the community,” she said. β€œPhones were ringing off the hook once the promotion for the drive went out. It shows that organizations can still help to maintain the nation’s blood supply and the health and safety of community members.”

Every time slot for donations were filled Friday by ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities campus members, community members and those wanting to make an immediate difference amid the pandemic.

Tiffany Jones, a Tri-Cities resident and parent of a former ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities running start student, said she wanted to contribute something tangible amid COVID-19.

β€œI think that a lot of people are feeling pretty helpless,” she said. β€œIt is something I could do. My son is able to do it, too, so he wanted to come along. It doesn’t seem like much, but it feels good to give back, even in a small way.”

Her son, Corbyn Jones, gave blood for the first time on Friday.

β€œIt just felt right giving back to my local community,” he said.

Ellie Barber, a ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities senior psychology major, said she came out to give blood as a healthy able-bodied person, especially given the shortage. She said she heard about the blood drive via an email from ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities.

β€œI think it is really important for providing students with access to these situations because not every student knows where the blood donation centers are in Richland or wherever they are from,” she said. β€œFor students, it is better access. I’ve always had a positive experience donating with the Red Cross and I would encourage everybody to donate if they can and if they are healthy.”

ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities administration worked closely with the American Red Cross to identify safety measures that would work best for protecting individuals amid the pandemic. All participants’ temperatures were taken at the door, they were each given a personal vial of hand sanitizer and were instructed to maintain at least six feet apart from other participants at all times. After donating, all stations were sanitized. Those wanting to sign up for drop-ins appointments could also do so at the door, one at a time – their phone numbers were taken on a sign-up sheet and they were called if there was a no-show appointment.

β€œWe are very grateful to ΊΪΑΟΙη for still holding this blood drive,” Loomis said. β€œWhen we were having massive amounts of cancelations throughout the Tri-Cities, ΊΪΑΟΙη really stepped up and asked the question of β€˜How can we still hold this blood drive and maintain safety?’ They paved the way for other folks in the Tri-Cities to know that they can still hold these blood drives and do so safely.”

Loomis said there will be a need for blood donations for not only weeks, but months.

β€œIt will continue well through the summer,” she said. β€œWe encourage people to donate, if they are healthy and able to do so.”

To find a local donation location and for more information, visit .

By Sara Zaske, ΊΪΑΟΙη News

RICHLAND, Wash. – To help stem the decrease in donations in the wake of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities is hosting a blood drive on Friday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Consolidated Information Center or CIC on 2770 Crimson Way in rooms 210, 212 and 214.Β  All healthy adults in the Tri-Cities are encouraged to donate.

More than 5,000 Red Cross blood drives have been cancelled across the United States, mainly due to many offices and schools closing to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Red Cross estimates the cancellations will result in about 170,000 fewer donations. In Oregon and Washington alone, more than 222 blood drives have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, resulting in about 6,000Β fewer blood donations.

ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities is one of the many college campuses across the country that have moved to online instruction, but because of the pressing need for blood donations, the ΊΪΑΟΙη student government association, Office of Student Affairs and the Red Cross decided to work together to hold the annual blood drive.

β€œWe’re opening up the blood drive to the entire community, not just students, hoping that will bring more donors,” said Jennifer Martinez, a ΊΪΑΟΙη nursing student and student coordinator for the blood drive. β€œWe’ve been in contact with the Red Cross every day, helping make sure that things are going to be ready and prepared for them and for donors.”

The campus and the Red Cross are taking extra care to address concerns about transmission of COVID-19. Staff will change gloves between each donor, hand sanitizer will be available in all areas, and donor beds will be sanitized after every participant. Donors will have their temperature taken before giving blood, and staff will also have a temperature check before starting work.

The campus has arranged all the building areas so that there is at least six feet between participants and good flow from registration through donation and recovery. The custodial staff will also be on campus to provide extra sanitization.

β€œWe’re doing everything we can to make sure that appropriate precautions are being taken,” Scott Tomren, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities environmental health and safety coordinator.

Donors should also know that there is no correlation with COVID-19 or any other respiratory illness and transfusion to a patient, said Shana Loomis of the Red Cross.

While blood isn’t needed to treat COVID-19 cases, the virus doesn’t stop the continued demand for blood supplies for many other healthcare needs, including cancer treatments, trauma accidents and complications from childbirth.

β€œThe need is actually increasing with the fewer donors that we’re seeing right now,” Loomis said.

To sign up for the ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities blood drive or a future drive, visit:Β Β and use the zip code search to locate a drive in your area.

Media contacts:

• Maegan Murray, ΊΪΑΟΙη Tri-Cities public relations/communication coordinator, 509-372-7333, maegan_murray@wsu.edu
• Sara Zaske, ΊΪΑΟΙη News and Media Relations, 509-335-4846, sara.zaske@wsu.edu
• Shana Loomis, American Red Cross Blood Services-PNW, 509-851-7892, shana.loomis@redcross.org