Red Cross blood drive still set for April 22

EPHRATA — Planning is continuing for a Red Cross blood drive tentatively scheduled for 12:30 to 6 p.m., April 22, at the Ephrata Recreation Center.

The blood drive is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and the Young Ladies Institute of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Ephrata.

The Red Cross is continuing to collect blood during the COVID-19 outbreak, according to information on its website. Red Cross workers are taking extra precautions for donor and worker safety, it said.

Donors will be asked to go through a temperature check before they enter the donation location, and donation stations will be spaced in accordance with social distancing guidelines. Additional disinfection measures will be in place throughout the donation process. Normally volunteers make sandwiches and cookies for donors, but those will be replaced with packaged food provided by the Red Cross.

Appointments can be scheduled at 1-800-733-2767, or online at www.RedCrossBlood.org, enter “EphrataCommunity.”

— Cheryl Schweizer