Sinclair Cares: Roll Up Your Sleeves

As Americans begin to reunite with friends and loved ones following the deadly outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the American Red Cross and blood centers across the U.S. are concerned about blood supplies and donor turnout this summer due to the virus. They need your help to donate blood.

Blood donations are essential to our nation's health operations and are needed nationwide. Americans who have received their vaccine can donate blood and platelets; knowing the type of vaccine they received will help with determining blood donation eligibility.

To help provide donors' insight into whether they may have been exposed to this coronavirus during this ongoing pandemic, the Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. Results are normally available in one to two weeks.

Sinclair Broadcast Group has partnered with the American Red Cross for Sinclair Cares: Roll Up Your Sleeves. Together, we can help prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures & patient treatments that were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're healthy and feeling well, please schedule your next blood donation in the days and weeks ahead.

The need for blood is constant, and donors are the only source of blood for those in need.

The Red Cross has updated its pandemic safety protocols in alignment with CDC and OSHA guidance:

• Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be required to wear masks and socially distance.
• Fully vaccinated individuals including staff and blood donors will no longer need to wear masks or socially distance beginning May 21.
• The Red Cross will adhere to more stringent face mask requirements per state and/or local guidance or at the request of our blood drive hosts.
• We continue to ask donors to schedule an appointment prior to arrival to help manage the flow of donors at drives.
• The need for blood is constant, and donors are the only source of blood for those in need.
• In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the public.

You can help save lives.