Vitalant teams up with food banks for ‘Save Lives, Feed Families’ blood drives

PITTSBURGH — 11 Cares partner Vitalant is teaming up with food banks for “Save Lives, Feed Families” blood drives.

When someone donates blood at a “Save Lives, Feed Families” blood drive, a contribution will be made on that person’s behalf to help food banks feed up to 25 families experiencing food insecurity.

In the winter, our community’s blood supply traditionally drops. This year, the pandemic has made things worse because hundreds of blood drives have been cancelled. Meantime, thousands of people in our community are food-insecure due to pandemic-related unemployment.

“This is your chance to double the impact of your donation,” said Charlie Wilcox, Vitalant President, Northeast Division.

Vitalant is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Vitalant is providing an initial test, followed up by a supplemental test for those who qualify, to help identify donors who could help COVID-19 patients by becoming future convalescent plasma donors.

To save your spot at a “Save Lives, Feed Families” blood drive, visit Vitalant.org/feedfamilies.

Cox Media Group