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14 Health & Wellness

Blood donation has been named as an “essential service” in Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive stay-at-home order that went into effect March 31.

Arizonans are strongly urged to make and keep blood donation appointments with Vitalant in the coming days and weeks. Vitalant is Arizona’s largest nonprofi t community blood provider that fi lls 100% of the blood transfusion needs for hospitals in 11 of 15 Arizona counties, including Maricopa.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and FEMA have specifi - cally identifi ed blood donation as an essential activityas ongoing guidance from government entities recommends that people avoid gatherings, practice social distancing and stay home. But blood drives are not gatherings: They are blood donation operations that are key to public health and safety.

“Donating blood is a safe process, and people should not hesitate to give. Blood drives have the highest standards of safety and infection control,” FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor said.

“Our blood collection sites are a ‘fi rst response’ action to this outbreak versus a gathering that needs to be avoided,” added Dr. Ralph Vassallo, Vitalant’s chief medical and scientifi c offi cer. “If you’re healthy, you’re needed now more than ever. We cannot let it get to the point where there’s no blood available for trauma patients; those undergoing cancer treatment; and patients who need regular, ongoing blood transfusions just to survive.”

Blood centers have always required individuals to be in good health to donate, and the blood collection process follows policies established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure the health and safety of donors and patients. Vitalant staff follows rigorous safety and disinfection protocols at its blood drives and donation centers. Giving blood has no impact on the donor’s immune system.

All blood types are needed, especially Blood donation is an essential service BY VITALANT

type-O donations. Type O-negative blood is the universal blood type: ER doctors reach for it fi rst to help stabilize patients before their blood type is known. To make a donation appointment, visit vitalant.org or call 1-877-25-VITAL (1-877-258-4825).

Airman & Family Readiness Center will soon serve again

The Luke AFB Airman & Family Readiness Center is closed until further notice due to the coronavirus. The center is projected to be closed at least until the end of May.

The center can receive emergency BY THE AIRMAN & FAMILY READINESS CENTER

phone calls at 623-856-6550 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday for the following: • Emergency Air Force Aid Assistance • Assistance and Survivor Benefi t Counseling • Military & Family Life Counselor Program (MFLCs). They are available to listen and help service members, spouses, family members, children and staff. The MFLC program provides confi dential support for a range of issues including relationships, crisis intervention, stress management, grief, occupational and other individual and family issues. • Transition Assistance

The staff looks forward to serving the military in person again soon.

Contact Airman & Family Readiness Center for more information at 623-856-6550 or visit its Facebook page, Luke A&FRC. The address is 7282 N. 137th Avenue, Building 1113, Luke AFB, AZ 85309.

AIRMAN & FAMILY

READINESS CENTER NEVER THE WRONG PLACE TO GO! MILITARY MEMBERS, DOD CIVILIANS* & FAMILIES

The Luke AFB Airman and Family Readiness Center is now closed until further notice due to the Coronavirus. The center is projected to be closed at least until the end of May 2020. We will be available to receive emergency phone calls at (623) 856-6550 Monday-Friday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm for the following: • Emergency Air Force Aid Assistance • Emergency Casualty or SBP • Transition Assistance • Military Family Life Counselor

We look forward to serving you in person again soon! Everyone stay safe and take care of yourselves.

Contact us for further information: (623) 856-6550 Email: 56fss.fsfr@luke.af.mil 7282 N. 137th Ave. Bldg.1113 Luke AFB, AZ. 85309 “We’re never the wrong place to go!”

FOR HEALTHY BLOOD DONORS URGENT NEED

Make your appointment TODAY: vitalant.org | 877-25-VITAL

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