Save Lives At The Southgate Church of Christ Community Blood Drive

SAN ANGELO, TX – San Angelo’s Vitalant is joining the effort to fight COVID-19 through the ‘Because of You, Life Doesn’t Stop’ campaign. The campaign aims to collect plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and use the antibodies present in their system to help others who continue battling the virus.

Convalescent plasma therapy is the only currently-available investigational antibody-based treatment for COVID-19.

“Convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients is needed now because it contains protective antibodies that may fight the virus and hopefully improve the outcome of COVID infection,” said Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer of Vitalant. “The need for these and all other types of blood donations has never been more immediate or more desperate. We believe that once Americans are fully aware of this crisis and the opportunity to save lives, they will respond as they always have in difficult times.”

The donation of blood and plasma can make a significant impact on people’s lives. Now more than ever donations are needed to ensure hospitals have the materials they need to treat patients that require blood or other blood products. Every blood donation can save up to three lives. Vitalant will be hosting a blood drive on May 20 at the Southgate Church of Christ.

“As shelter-in-place requirements are relaxed across the country, the weekly demand for blood components has increased by 25% compared to early April,” said Vitalant in a statement. “The need for blood is significantly increasing now that elective surgeries are being rescheduled”

Even though electives surgeries had been put on pause for several weeks, the need for blood continued for childbirth, cancer treatments, essential medical procedures, and everyday emergencies.

“We’re imploring the nation to come together, to support this mission and to recognize the immediate need for plasma and blood donations,” said Clifford Numark, Vitalant Chief of Marketing. “Each individualized action can have an immense impact in providing a collective hope and promise to the American people during this time. We simply can’t do our life-transforming work without you.”

The blood drive will be going on from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall in the Southgate Church of Christ. 

Appointments are highly encouraged and can be made by calling 877-258-4825. Donors will receive a coupon for a FREE sandwich courtesy of Chick-Fil-A.

Donations can be made Monday – Saturday at the Vitalant Donation Center located at 2020 W. Beauregard. To schedule appointments or for general information call 877-258-4825.