Blood collection company to offer free antibody tests to blood donors at its drive
Blood Connection, a company that collects blood donations in North and South Carolina, is offering free antibody tests to donors at its blood drive at PNC Arena Thursday.
The blood drive, the second the company has hosted since March, is a partnership with UNC Health and WakeMed.
The Blood Connection announced last week that it was providing free antibody tests for all of its donors, The News & Observer reported. LabCorp, the laboratory test and drug development company based in Burlington, is offering the test for $10.
An antibody test can determine whether a person came in contact with the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is unclear whether the antibodies provide immunity from future disease.
Plasma donated by people who have the antibody is being used to treat COVID-19 patients as part of a nationwide test coordinated by the Mayo Clinic, the N&O has reported. UNC Health, Duke Health and WakeMed are participating in the study.
The antibody test does not determine whether a person currently has COVID-19.
Allie Van Dyke, the partnership and media coordinator for Blood Connection, said people can get tests at one of the 10 mobile donation units, or in the PNC lobby. There were 1,200 donors as the last blood drive. The company is hoping for a similar number at its upcoming drive.
“There were already people in hospitals with blood disorders, battling cancer,” Van Dyke said. “Those are the people blood products affect and save.”
The company is taking extra precautions to ensure safety. This time no one will wait in line, Van Dyke said. Donors will also be kept six feet apart. At the last drive, a News & Observer reporter observed Blood Connection workers wearing gloves and masks.
People who have an appointment will be asked to park and wait in their cars before they give blood. They will be sent a text message directing them to enter one of the buses or lobby.
Blood for the antibody test will be drawn as part of the donation process. It will take seven business days for donors to receive their results.
Blood drive
People who want to donate blood can make an appointment at https://donate.thebloodconnection.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/146378.
When: Thursday
Where: PNC Arena
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
