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By: MIASF Staff

Date posted: Jul 24, 2020 Fri

DRIVE-IN. DONATE. DROP OFF.

On Friday, August 14th, MIASF will support an industry-wide blood drive initiated by Sandy Hoekstra-Handrahan of Yacht-Mate and host a non-perishable food collection at MIASF's headquarters. The blood drive will help meet the needs of area hospitals treating an influx of patients with COVID-19 and the food collection will benefit the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center “Bare Necessities” patient pantry, which distributes 850 pounds of food to needy families every month.

MIASF members are encouraged to participate by registering for an appointment through a unique portal to donate blood or plasma at the OneBlood Big Red Bus that will be stationed in the MIASF office parking lot from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. A limited number of people will be permitted onboard the bus at any one time, so donors can wait in their car or outside to be called when it is their turn. By donating, each donor can save up to three lives! OneBlood tests all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody. The antibody test is authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the virus, regardless of whether they ever showed symptoms. Results will be available in the donor portal approximately 48 - 96 hours post-donation. Refreshments will be available to donors. Register for your time slot at https://www.oneblood.org/donate-now/ and use Sponsor Code #61618 to sign up.

High unemployment rates resulting from the coronavirus stay-at-home and lockdown emergency orders have impacted low-income families exponentially, and the Bare Necessities food pantry at the CDTC helps families with a special needs child extend their food options with non-perishable food items, including evaporated milk, oatmeal and cereal, jelly, tuna and other canned meat, soups and ramen noodles, as well as canned and dried beans, rice, pasta, jarred sauces, fruit cups, applesauce, and snacks. Additionally, diapers sized 2 - 5 are in high demand. The food collection will be held in conjunction with the blood drive and all donated items can be dropped off in contactless receptacles that will be located on the MIASF office front porch.

MIASF will be emailing a flyer to all members with the details, including an online link to make a reservation for blood or plasma donation. Food items can be dropped off anytime during the week, beginning on Monday, August 10th. For additional information, contact nicole@miasf.org.