Red Cross to begin testing donated blood for COVID-19 antibodies

RICHLAND, Wash.-- The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

The non-profit agency is using an antibody test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to conduct the testing.

The test may indicate whether your immune system produced antibodies to the coronavirus, even if you never had symptoms.

The Red Cross will provide donors with the COVID-19 antibody test results within 7-10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

You can make a donation appointments by downloading the free 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.

There is currently an urgent need for blood donations after hospital demand for blood products increased in recent weeks. The Red Cross is offering a $5 Amazon gift card to anyone who donates during the month of June.

Hermiston Community Center, 415 S Hwy 395
6/16/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Richland Blood Donation Center, 447 Wellsian Way
6/16/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.,
6/17/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
6/22/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
6/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
6/25/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
6/26/2020: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
6/29/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
6/30/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Bethel Church Richland, 600 Shockley Road
6/29/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

West Richland
6/29/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., LDS - Keene Bldg., 1307 Watkins Way
6/30/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Benton REA, 6095 W. Van Giesen St.

Pasco
6/30/2020: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Charter College Pasco, 5278 Outlet Drive

Walla Walla
6/19/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Pauls Episcopal Church, 323 Catherine St.
6/22/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Foundry Vineyards, 1111 Abadie St. 6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Saint Patrick Parish, 408 W Poplar St.
6/25/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., YMCA Walla Walla, 340 S Park Street

Sunnyside
6/25/2020: 12:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., LDS, 2000 E Lincoln Avenue

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.