PROVO, Utah (ABC4 News) A Red Cross blood drive on the campus of Brigham Young University today reached its goal of 60 pints despite worries, by some, of the H1N1 virus. The Red Cross set up its clinic in the Wilkinson Student Center and organizers say they had no problem meeting the level of donations set by their home office.
This time of year is typically a tough time for critical blood donations. The holidays and the regular flu keep some people away. This year with the H1N1 flu going around, Red Cross officials want to emphasize the need to keep giving. "There is a consistent need regardless of any external factor that is going on outside our world. There really is a patient need and we want to make sure our healthty donors are coming in", said Jill Allen of the Utah Red Cross. She says the clinics are sanitary and donors are kept apart, "as far as contracting the disease there is no chance of contracting H1N1 by giving blood."
One other warning given to anyone giving blood is that if they feel sick within a few days of donating they should call the number they get when they give blood. Each donation is numbered, tracked and computerized and it can be pulled from the blood supply if there is a question.
Allen told ABC4's Ross Becker, "we are still encouraging people to take a few minutes and come in and donate blood."
