Donate blood, get tested for COVID-19 antibodies

Want to find out if you have had COVID-19 without knowing it?

Memorial Blood Centers, including its Northland locations, will test all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies through Jan. 31, according to a news release from the nonprofit. Donors will receive their results in the mail within one to two weeks after donating.

PREVIOUSLY

• Red Cross to host 2-day blood drive in Duluth; all donors to get COVID-19 antibody test Attendees can write thank-you messages for local service members or veterans as part of the Red Cross Holidays for Heroes project.
  
• American Red Cross testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies The COVID-19 antibody test on donor blood will only be done during certain blood drives across Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  

"We hope those who test positive with the COVID-19 antibodies will return to find out if they are a good candidate to donate convalescent plasma," Paul Freher with Innovative Blood Resources said in an email to the News Tribune.
Convalescent plasma is found in people who have had COVID-19 and is used to treat people with the illness. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 can register for a plasma donation at mbc.org/cpdonor .

Memorial Blood Centers is also urging anyone eligible to make a blood donation appointment at one of its four centers in the Northland or one of the upcoming blood drives.

Due to the pandemic and canceled blood donation drives, the local nonprofit continues to face blood donation shortages, according to a news release from the organization. The organization's blood drives were down about 50% this year compared to the number held in 2019.

Blood donation appointments are preferred but not required. Those eligible can make an appointment at mbc.org or by calling 888-448-3253.

To be eligible to donate blood, people must be at least 110 pounds, in good health, at least 17 years old or 16 with parental consent, free of antibiotics for at least 24 hours, free of COVID-19 symptoms and free of flu or cold symptoms for at least 72 hours.

• Duluth — Burning Tree Plaza, 5115 Burning Tree Road.
• Hibbing — Fairview Plaza, 1200 E. 25th St., Suite 204.
• Virginia — Essentia Health-Virginia, 901 Ninth St. N.
• Superior —Essentia Health St. Mary’s Hospital-Superior, 3500 Tower Ave.

• Duluth — Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at St. Lawrence Church, 2410 Morris Thomas Road.
• Proctor — 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Proctor High School, 131 N. Ninth Ave.
• Carlton — 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Francis Catholic Church, 31 County Road 1.
• Moose Lake — 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at Moose Lake Community Schools, 4812 County Road 10.
• Silver Bay — 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Silver Bay High School, 137 Banks Blvd.
• Grand Marais — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at North Shore Health, 515 W. Fifth Ave.
• Grand Rapids — 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Jan. 4, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 315 SW 21st St., and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, at Grace Bible Chapel, 2452 County Road 76.
• International Falls — Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, and 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, both at International Falls VFW Post 2948 Auxiliary, 1501 U.S. Highway 71.
• Ashland — 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13, at Ashland High School, 1900 Beaser Ave.