Facing a one-day critical shortage of blood supplies, Wayne UNC Health Care has organized an emergency blood drive 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed., Nov. 4 in the hospital auditorium. The blood drive is open to the public.

“The Blood Connection and their Operations Command Center has noticed a decrease in blood donations and those willing to host blood drives, which has had significant decrease in blood inventory,” The Blood Connection said in a recent Situation Report. “Since the beginning of the pandemic, COVID-19 has negatively impacted TBC’s blood collection and inventory.”

From the cancellation of hundreds of blood drives to donors not participating for fear of spreading the virus, COVID-19 continues to take its toll on the blood collection industry, TBC reported. TBC resources support Wayne UNC patients, and blood donated in local drives remains in the community. “

This is not only a local challenge,” said Mitzi Currie, Wayne UNC Director of Employee Health Services. “This shortage is affecting blood banks and health systems just like ours across our state and our country. We join TBC in urging our community to give generously to save lives here in our community.”

All donors will receive a $20 gift card and a screening for COVID-19 antibodies following their donation. Antibody testing is not COVID-19 diagnostic testing. Positive test results do not confirm infection or immunity.

Donors can save time and ensure social distancing and limited interaction by making an appointment online.