BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's a two-for-one deal.
Western New Yorkers can now help save lives while also finding out if they've been exposed to the coronavirus.
The Red Cross announced Monday they'll be testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for coronavirus antibodies. Within seven to 10 days of a donation, donors will be able to see, using an app or the Red Cross' online portal, if they tested positive or negative.
The Red Cross is also taking multiple precautions to protect donors from the virus while they donate, including requiring masks, social distancing and temperature checks. You can read more about those precautions here.
“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services.
There continues to be an urgent need for blood due to recent demand. The Red Cross is also able to offer, until June 30, a $5 Amazon Gift Card for donating as well.
“If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19," added Goodhue.
Donation appointments can be made 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.
For more on upcoming Red Cross testing sites, see below.
The test the Red Cross uses for antibodies is authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Antibody Testing: What you need to know
Antibody testing normally requires a blood draw, unlike diagnostic testing which is the nose swab. Antibody testing will only tell you if you've previously been exposed, not if you are currently infected.
If you think you might have COVID-19 right now, you should get the nose swab diagnostic test. 2 On Your Side has a list of where you can get tested:
But, if you previously were exposed to the virus, or believe you were, the antibody test can tell you if your body developed an immune response.
A positive antibody test doesn't necessarily mean you have immunity from the virus; the Centers for Disease Control say it's not known yet if antibodies for coronavirus mean immunity, and if so, for how long it would last.
Can I donate?
Here's what required to be a donor:
- Any blood type is accepted
- Be over 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states, high school students and other people under 18 have to meet certain height and weight requirements)
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Be generally in good health
To donate you'll need:
- A donor card or drivers license, or two other forms of identification
- A mask to wear during your donation
- To register for an appointment
Upcoming Testing in WNY: June 15 through 30
Allegany
Fillmore
- 6/24/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fillmore Volunteer Fire Department, 24 South Genesee Street
Wellsville
- 6/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Wellsville Fire Department, 40 S Main Street
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Cattaraugus
Allegany
- 6/18/2020: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 892, 4350 Route 417 West
Gowanda
- 6/24/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion Post 409, 100 Legion Drive
Olean
- 6/19/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Believer's Chapel, 2000 Constitution Ave
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Chautauqua
Brocton
- 6/24/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Tri-Church Brocton, 35 Main St.
Dewittville
- 6/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Camp Mission Meadows, 5201 NY430
Dunkirk
- 6/15/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Blessed Mary Angela Roman Catholic Parish, 324 Townsend Street
- 6/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Dunkirk First Baptist Church, 876 Central Avenue
Jamestown
- 6/18/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Jamestown Chapter, 325 E 4th St
- 6/25/2020: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Jamestown Chapter, 325 E 4th St
Lakewood
- 6/26/2020: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Chautauqua Mall, 318 E Fairmount Ave.
Mayville
- 6/25/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Mayville VFW Post 8647, 10 Memorial Drive
Portland
- 6/16/2020: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Portland Fire Department, 6481 W Main Rd
Sheridan
- 6/24/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sheridan Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6390, 2556 Route 20
Silver Creek
- 6/25/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First United Church, 35 Park Place
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Erie
Amherst
- 6/17/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Leo the Great, 885 Sweet Home Road
- 6/24/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Leo the Great, 885 Sweet Home Road
Blasdell
- 6/30/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Neighborhood Health Center, 4233 Lake Ave.
Buffalo
- 6/16/2020: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Marian Professional Center, 515 Abbott Rd.
- 6/17/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave
- 6/26/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., WNY Chapter, 786 Delaware Ave
- 6/29/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., K-TECHnologies, 4090 Jeffrey Blvd.
Depew
- 6/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Centerpointe Community Church, 56 Burlington Ave
Elma
- 6/18/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 1230 Bowen Road
Getzville
- 6/30/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Pius X Roman Catholic Church Father Weber Center, 1700 N French Rd
Grand Island
- 6/22/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Grand Island Knights of Columbus, 1841 Whitehaven Road
Hamburg
- 6/16/2020: 2 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Hamburg United Methodist Church, 116 Union St
Kenmore
- 6/19/2020: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Ellwood Fire Department, 1000 Englewood Ave.
Lancaster
- 6/19/2020: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lancaster Elks Lodge, 33 Legion Parkway
Orchard Park
- 6/16/2020: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Orchard Park American Legion Post 567 William Bud Davis Memorial Center, 3740 N Buffalo Rd.
- 6/23/2020: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., First Baptist Church of Orchard Park, 5933 Big Tree Rd
- 6/29/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St Bernadette’s Roman Catholic Church, 5930 S Abbott Rd
- 6/29/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Nativity of Our Lord Roman Catholic Church, 26 Thorn Ave
Sardinia
- 6/17/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Sardinia Fire Hall, 12719 W. Schutt Road
Springville
- 6/17/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Concord Senior Center, 40 Commerce Drive
Swormville
- 6/22/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 6919 Transit Rd
Tonawanda
- 6/20/2020: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Church of the Nativity, 1530 Colvin Boulevard
Williamsville
- 6/27/2020: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Williamsville United Methodist Church, 5681 Main St
- 6/30/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church, 8445 Greiner Rd
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Genesee
Batavia
- 6/24/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., City Church, 15 Center St
Bergen
- 6/27/2020: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 38 S Lake Ave
Darien Center
- 6/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Darien Town Hall, 10569 Alleghany Rd
Le Roy
- 6/18/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., American Legion, 53 West Main Street
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Niagara
Lewiston
- 6/25/2020: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lewiston Fire Co No 1, 145 N 6th St
Lockport
- 6/23/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., The Dale Association Incorporated, 33 Ontario St.
Middleport
- 6/15/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Middleport Fire Hall, 28 Main St
Niagara Falls
- 6/20/2020: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church, 736 Cayuga Drive
North Tonawanda:
- 6/19/2020: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Gratwick Hose Fire Co., 110 Ward Rd
- 6/25/2020: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Nash Road Free Methodist Church, 958 Nash Rd
Ransomville:
- 6/16/2020: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Ransomville Fire Co., 2525 Youngstown Lockport Rd
Sanborn:
- 6/25/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pekin Fire Company, 3024 Upper Mountain Rd.
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Orleans
- Kendall: 6/30/2020: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Kendall Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd
- Medina: 6/16/2020: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sacred Heart Club, 189 N Gravel Rd
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Wyoming
- Perry: 6/22/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 35 Covington St
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