• Community Blood Bank- Austin

The Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania and Western New York connects donors to patients who are in need of life-sustaining blood products in the communities we serve.

 You can now read our latest Donor Newsletter here!

Current Needs for Double-Red Donations:

As our inventory needs change, so does our need for individual blood components (the platelets, plasma and red cells you donate). Please refer to this section for current needs and appointment guidance.

Due to a recent change in our inventory needs, we are asking A+, A-, B- and O+ donors to schedule double-red appointments when possible. We are especially urging O- donors to schedule double-red appointments when possible due to the need for your universal red cells.

Zika Virus (ZIKV) and Blood Donation:

We are asking you to refrain from donating if you meet any of the following criteria:

  1. You should refrain from donating for 4 weeks (28 days) if you have traveled to or resided in an area with active ZIKV transmission.  For areas with Active Zika Virus Transmission, consult the CDC webpage: http://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/index.html.
  2. You should refrain from donating for 4 weeks after resolution of symptoms if you have a history of ZIKV infection in the last 4 weeks.
  3. You exhibit signs or symptoms of ZIKV infection within 2 weeks of departure from an area with active transmission of ZIKV.  You should refrain from donating for 4 weeks after the resolution of symptoms.
    • Signs and Symptoms of ZIKV infection are fever, rash, joint pain, conjunctivitis (red eyes), muscle pain and headache.
  4. You should refrain from donating for 4 weeks after the last sexual contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with ZIKV or who traveled to or resided in an area with active transmission of ZIKV in the 3 months prior to that instance of sexual contact.

We are doing this for the following reasons:

  1. Zika virus infection is spreading rapidly in the Western Hemisphere.
  2. Zika virus infection is mild in most people, but there is concern that Zika is causing serious brain injury to infants whose mothers have been infected during pregnancy and an increase in cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a temporary but serious disorder causing paralysis.
  3. Zika virus can be present in the blood of an infected person who has no symptoms of illness.
  4. There is concern that Zika virus can be transmitted by blood.

We appreciate your concern and cooperation during this time, for further information, speak with staff in the donor room or call (814)456-4206 OR toll free (877)-842-0631. Thank you.

 

 

Wondering who your donations help? Watch Austin’s story to see what your donations mean 

not only to a recipient, but for their families too. 

 

 

 

 

For promotions, eligibility reminders, updates and more text the word BLOOD to 444999 to opt in for text messages from the Community Blood Bank.

And don’t forget to check out our news feed, located on the left hand side of our website, to stay up to date on our promotions, new blood drives, schedule changes and much more!

 

 

 

Thank you for being a part

of the Community Blood Bank family!