Arkansas Blood Institute is bringing the fun Halloween spirit to blood donation this October with its “Vein Drain” campaign.
Join Waldron High School at a blood drive with Arkansas Blood Institute from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., on Tuesday, October 26 on the bloodmobile.
Successful blood donors will receive a free limited-edition, glow-in-in-the-dark, “Vein Drain” t-shirt, displaying a skeleton bone theme and one free admission to the award-winning Little Rock Zoo.
In addition, for a limited time only, all donors will receive free COVID-19 antibody testing and Hemoglobin A1c blood sugar testing, which can help monitor diabetes risk.*
“Vein Drain is all about having fun with Halloween, but the reality is, every two seconds someone needs blood to survive,” said John Armitage, President, and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “With an hour of your time, you can save the lives of up to three patients facing trauma or ongoing treatment at our local hospitals. You’ll not only help others, but also can find out more about your health through COVID antibody screening and blood sugar testing.”
Arkansas Blood Institute is the local, non-profit blood supplier, supporting the inventory for patients in more than 40 hospitals, medical facilities and air ambulances statewide. Anyone who is healthy and 16 years old* or older can give blood. Blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year.
Appointments to donate can be made online at arkbi.org or by calling 877-340-8777. COVID-19 vaccination does not affect your eligibility to donate blood.
*16-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds and provide signed parental permission; 17-year-olds must weigh at least 125 pounds; 18+ year olds must weigh at least 110 pounds. Photo ID required. While supplies last. Donors ages 16 or 17-years old need parental consent to be screened for COVID-19 antibodies. This test has not been FDA cleared or approved. It has been authorized by the FDA under an EUA (Emergency Use Authorization) for use by authorized laboratories. The test has been authorized only for the detection of the antibody IgG antibody against SARS-CoV-2, not for any other viruses or pathogens. Test results will be made available post-donation on the donor portal.
