(Savannah) No cutting corners at the American Red Cross on Tibet Avenue. Employees are following guidelines from The world health organization.
the first order of business for donors… paperwork. "The best screening that we have is donors answering the questions honestly and truthfully and then that check for the temperature to make sure their temperature is below 99.5 degrees," says Dean Smith, American Red Cross District Manager. Some blood banks across the country are reporting a drop in donations because of swine flu. Calls for appointments have declined here too, but it's tough to pinpoint the reason. "It's of course flu season so folks aren't able to donate because they're out sick. It's hard to tell whether it's seasonal flu, or H1N1."
Protection, protection, protection. That is the key here at the American Red Cross. They're making sure that they take the necessary steps to take care of their employees and donors. "If they call us within a couple of days after their donation and let us know that they're not feeling well we'll discard their donation." Smith thinks the economy has also added to a drop in donations. He's pleading for healthy people to give blood now to prevent a problem in the coming weeks when the need for blood traditionally goes up. "My biggest concern is that we have enough coming up in the holiday season."
To give blood just call 1-800-give life. There’s a blood drive this Saturday, November 14th at the American Legion Post 168 in Hinesville beginning at 8:30. Just show up at 1123 Oglethorpe Hwy
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