How to help after Kansas City rally shooting: Hospital and blood bank call for donations
If you’re looking for a way to help the victims of the deadly shooting at the Union Station Chiefs rally, blood donation is one option.
University Health spokesperson Leslie Carto said Kansas City hospitals are seeking blood donations following Wednesday’s shooting, which injured at least 23 people and took the life of a Johnson County mother. Carto advised that anyone who wants to donate should contact the Community Blood Center of Greater Kansas City.
“Community Blood Center this week sent hundreds of blood, platelet, and plasma units to local hospitals in the wake of the mass shooting that took place at the Chiefs Super Bowl Parade,” blood center spokesperson Chelsey Smith wrote in a news release Thursday.
“University of Kansas Medical Center, University Health, and Saint Luke’s Hospital all received additional blood products yesterday to assist in the treatment of the shooting victims. CBC stands ready to send additional blood products if needed.”
Where to donate blood
Location: Community Blood Center at 4040 Main Street in Kansas City
How to make an appointment:
Donors can make an appointment by calling 877-468-6844.
Requirements for donating blood
Volunteers as young as 16 years old can donate blood with parental permission. If you are 17 or older, you don’t need your parent or guardian’s consent — but you do need to meet certain bodyweight requirements until you are 19 years old.
There is no upper age limit for blood donation as long as you meet certain physical requirements like iron levels, blood pressure and other vitals.
The FDA recently updated its blood donation requirements, removing the three-month donation ban on men who have sex with men. Screening questions now refer to specific sexual practices rather than sexual orientation. You can learn more at savealifenow.org.
You should not give blood if you currently have or have ever had HIV/AIDS or ebola, as these viruses can be transmitted through the blood. You also need to wait at least three months to donate after taking medication to prevent HIV infection.
You also shouldn’t donate blood if you currently have COVID-19. However, you can donate once you have been symptom-free for at least 14 days. No COVID-19 vaccinations or booster shots make you ineligible to donate.
Most medications do not make you ineligible to donate blood. If you’re on antibiotics, wait until you have finished taking them to donate. You should also wait one month after finishing a course of Accutane to donate.
If you’re not feeling well or have cold or flu symptoms, wait until a few days after they resolve to donate blood.
You’ll also be screened for some basic vital signs like pulse and blood pressure at the blood center — if your heart rate is above 100 beats per minute and does not slow down after a rest period, you won’t be able to give blood.
Finally, don’t donate blood just to find out the results of the screening tests the center runs on all donations. If you need a test for HIV/AIDS or another illness, free tests are available through the Kansas City Health Department.
How to prepare to donate blood
The Community Blood Center recommends preparing for your donation a couple days in advance by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration causes the veins to constrict, making them harder for the needle to find.
The blood bank also recommends eating salty snacks the evening before a donation, getting lots of sleep and having a good meal before donating. All these can help quell feelings of nausea and ensure your body can handle losing the blood you donate.
Do you know of more ways to help the victims of Wednesday’s shooting? Let the Service Journalism team know at kcq@kcstar.com.
