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Westgate Mall to Host American Red Cross Blood Drive with All Donations Tested for COVID-19 Antibody

Westgate Mall to Host American Red Cross Blood Drive

with All Blood Donations Tested for COVID-19 Antibody

Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS (July 2020) – Westgate Mall will host a blood donation drive in partnership with the American Red Cross on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 from 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the center. The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for the COVID-19 antibody. Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within 7 to 10 days through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or on the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

The Westgate Mall blood drive is by appointment only, please register at RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code WESTGATEBROCKTON. The drive will be located in the mall near Dunkin’ Donuts.

The American Red Cross will establish additional safety guidelines to ensure all donors are socially distanced. It is safe to donate blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives.

“We are pleased to host the American Red Cross for this important blood donation drive. Additionally, the new COVID-19 antibody testing can provide valuable information to donors,” says Rebekah Macchia, Marketing Director of Westgate Mall. 

The antibody test is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed symptoms. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.

General Safety

It is safe to donate blood. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that the coronavirus (COVID-19) does not pose any known risk to blood donors during the donation process or from attending blood drives.

Red Cross Donation Safety Protocols

The top priority of the Red Cross is the safety of our donors, volunteers, employees and blood recipients, and we are committed to transparency with the American public during this evolving public health emergency.

There are no data or evidence that this coronavirus can be transmissible by blood transfusion, and there have been no reported cases worldwide of transmissions for any respiratory virus including this coronavirus.

Donating blood products is essential to community health and eligible donors are strongly urged to donate blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma. The Red Cross only collects blood from individuals who are healthy and feeling well at the time of donation – and who meet other eligibility requirements.

At each blood drive or donation center, Red Cross employees follow thorough safety protocols, including:       

  • Wearing gloves and changing them often.
  • Wiping down donor-touched areas after every collection.
  • Using sterile collection sets for every donation.
  • Preparing the arm for donation with aseptic scrub.
  • Conducting donor mini physicals to ensure donors are healthy and well on day of donation. 

We have also increased our vigilance concerning some of these safety protocols including: 

  • Enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.  
  • Providing hand sanitizer for use before entering and throughout the donation appointment. 
  • Temperature checks before presenting donors enter the blood drive or donation center. 
  • Following social distancing practices between donors including donor beds, as well as waiting and refreshment areas.
  • During this time, blankets typically used by platelet, Power Red and AB Elite donors at Red Cross blood donation centers will be laundered after each use, which may limit the availability. Donors are encouraged to bring their own blankets, but electric blankets and heating pads are not permitted.
  • Staff wearing basic face masks.

To ensure our staff are healthy each day, we have implemented standard staff health assessments prior to all blood drives.  Finally, only eligible and healthy people can give blood.  These mitigation measures will help ensure blood recipient safety, as well as staff and donor safety in reducing contact with those who may potentially have this respiratory infection.

Westgate Mall

Westgate Mall, an enclosed regional mall in Brockton, Massachusetts, featuring Burlington, Planet Fitness, Staples, Sears, Best Buy, Verizon and XFINITY Store by Comcast, Bath and Body Works, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, Famous Footwear, Old Navy and a mix of more than 65 specialty stores including The Children’s Place and Rue21. Eateries include Chipotle, Buffalo Wild Wings, IHOP and Auntie Anne’s. Market Basket is also on-site. Westgate Mall is located at the intersection of Routes 24 and 27 in Brockton and accessible via the Brockton Area Transit Authority. For directions and additional information, please call 508-588-8916 or visit ShopatWestgateMall.com. Hours of operation are Monday - Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Westgate Mall is a New England Development shopping destination.

New England Development

For over forty years, New England Development has taken a creative, entrepreneurial approach to real estate development and management - delivering and sustaining successful projects across a wide range of property types. These projects transform complex challenges into preferred locations, generate long-term value to communities, afford compelling opportunities for local and national businesses, and offer sought-after experiences to a wide range of consumers.

The company is acclaimed for creating some of the country's most widely-recognized and successful regional centers, as well as multifaceted developments that combine retail, residential, hotel, and office uses. Outlet centers, high-end and street-front retail, airport retail, golf courses, restaurants, and marinas round out New England Development's robust portfolio. For more information visit NEDevelopment.com.

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