McLeod Health Clarendon needs you to donate blood

All our coronavirus coverage is free to the public. It’s the right thing to do as a public service to our community. If you find this article helpful or informative and want to support our continued coverage, please support us with a tax-deductible donation.

To find all our coronavirus coverage, including helpful local resources and website links, click here.

---

MANNING - The federally authorized emergency use of convalescent plasma for individual patients who are currently ill with COVID-19 has resulted in a need for blood donations.

McLeod Health Clarendon, 10 E. Hospital St., will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7. Donors are asked to enter the hospital through its cafeteria.

Social distancing will be a priority. Donors will be spaced as much as possible, and the hospital's staff will utilize enhanced cleaning procedures as well as frequently wipe down surfaces and donor chairs with bleach wipes.

Requirements for donating blood include a previous/documented positive test from at least 28 days in the past. Positive test documentation/results may include: a copy of the donor's lab results showing a positive test for COVID-19 with the date of the test or a document from the donor's health care provider stating that the donor had a positive test for COVID-19 and the date of the positive test. This document must be on the letterhead or prescription pad of the health care provider and must be signed and dated by the health care provider. Donors must be symptom-free for at least 28 days prior to donating with The Blood Connection, and donors must meet regular donor criteria.

Donors are required to make an appointment for donation with Stacy Mosier by email at stacy.mosier@mcleodhealth.org or by calling (803) 435-3156.

The Blood Connection was founded in 1962 when a group of physicians along with hospital and civic leaders decided there was a need for patients in their community, and The Greenville Blood Assurance Plan was formed. Its name was changed to Carolina-Georgia Blood Center and ultimately became known as The Blood Connection, a name that the organizers thought described its mission more appropriately. TBC has locations in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.