Let It Bleed

Church organizes blood drives at a crucial time

By Taylor Woodhouse

As knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic led people to stay home in order to reduce the spread of the virus, blood donations were an unfortunate casualty. According to the American Red Cross, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a nationwide blood shortage.

The Red Cross alone provides roughly 40 percent of the nation’s blood and blood components, but it relies entirely on volunteers. Fewer volunteers mean fewer lifesaving blood donations. As hospitals began to resume more surgeries and other procedures, blood was in low supply.

“Many delayed giving amid a return to the workplace and in-person learning, as well as a result of the continued impacts of COVID-19,” says Cat Elkins, an account manager for American Red Cross Blood Services. “Blood cannot be manufactured or stockpiled and can only be made available through the kindness of volunteer donors.”

A Grove City church was among those who answered the call to help.

The Naz Church has been a religious fixture in Grove City since 1953. Within the community, it also fulfills a second role: blood drive organizer.

As part of its mission to continue giving back to the community, the Naz Church facilitates monthly blood drives in partnership with the Red Cross. While the blood drives are held at the church in Grove City, all are encouraged to attend and donate, regardless of their religious affiliations or ZIP code. The church has been a blood drive host since the early 2000s. The relationship dates back so long, in fact, that it predates the organization’s digital records.

“The blood drives are just another small way we can make a difference and make an impact in people’s lives,” says Roberta Albert, communication director at the Naz. “It’s not necessarily a typical thing you think of a church doing, but it’s so beneficial and helpful.”

When the Red Cross made clear a need for help, the Naz doubled the number of drives it held per year to meet the demand. Volunteers from the Naz worked with the Red Cross to implement additional protocols to keep donors and volunteers safe.

“We are extremely grateful for our partnership with The Naz and all of our blood drive hosts that support us, especially during that trying time,” Elkins says.

The Red Cross states that only about three percent of age-eligible people donate blood each year. Blood drives are an essential way that the Red Cross and

Monthly blood drives at the Naz make it easy to donate to those in need.

Why Donate?

One donation can potentially save up to three lives

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O

COVID-19 and Giving Blood

Can I give blood if I have been vaccinated for COVID-19?

Yes. As with other vaccines, vaccination against COVID-19 doesn’t change a person’s ability to safely give blood. Your donor volunteer will ask you which vaccine you received. It’s recommended, but not required, that you bring your vaccine card with you.

Can I give blood if I have contracted COVID-19?

Yes. However, you must wait at least 14 days from the point of a positive test result to attend a blood drive. If you’re feeling in any way unhealthy, stay home and reschedule your blood donation for another time.

Is it safe to attend a blood drive?

Yes. The Red Cross has increased its safety measures to ensure donors and volunteers can attend blood drives with peace of mind. Only healthy, symptom-free people are eligible to donate.

other medical organizations can reach new and repeat donors in order to help meet patient needs across the nation.

The pandemic certainly didn’t slow down the community’s drive to give either. Crickett Normandin, executive assistant at the Naz, says that the later months of 2021 were a particularly strong time for donations, consistently meeting and exceeding attendance goals. In fact, the church keeps raising its goals – and the community keeps showing up.

“One thing we love about this church is that we’re a part of this community,” Normandin says. “This is one more way we’re a service to the commu-

The Naz is more than just a place for worship. Blood drives and other initiatives are an important part of its connection to the community.

4750 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH

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www.grovecitychristian.org | 614.875.3000

info@grovecitychristian.org

Grove City Christian

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LEARN MORE ABOUT US TODAY! 614-875-1917 childcareinfo@grovecitychristian.org www.grovecitychristianchildcare.org 4770 HOOVER ROAD, GROVE CITY OH 43123 Diversity in Blood Donation

Certain patients require more than just a matching blood type. They may require a donation with more antigens, a substance on red blood cells, that closely matches their own. Different racial and ethnic groups are more likely to have certain antigens than others, according to the Red Cross.

For patients with autoimmune diseases, blood transfusions from someone of a similar race or ethnicity can potentially reduce blood transfusion complications. That’s just one of many reasons why blood donations from people of diverse races and ethnicities are vitally important.

nity. We are a place that can safely give blood drives.”

The Naz, located at 4770 Hoover Rd., will host blood drives from 9 a.m.noon Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 19, April 16, May 21 and June 11. All community members are welcome. You may also keep watch on The Naz Church’s social media for reminders of upcoming drives. In addition, visit the Red Cross website to search for other drives or donation centers near you.

Taylor Woodhouse is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at feedback@ cityscenemediagroup.com.