The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, will host its first blood drive of the Fall semester 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15-16, in the Reynolds Room of the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center, located at 800 N. 49th Street. All donors will receive a free COVID-19 antibody test.
COVID-19 antibody tests screen donors for antibodies in the blood, which are formed when fighting an infection such as the novel coronavirus, by assessing whether the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to fight infection. Initial research has shown that donors who have these antibodies may offer a unique opportunity to help patients fighting the disease.
The blood drive is sponsored by the UAFS Student Activities Office and the Campus Activities Board’s community events committee and is free and open to the public. In addition to the COVID-19 antibody test, each donor will receive a free health screening, a free t-shirt, snacks, and tickets to the Little Rock Zoo, and be entered into a blood drive raffle.
UAFS coordinates five blood drives each year in an effort to help reach out to potential blood donors on campus. The blood is provided to the Arkansas Blood Institute, a non-profit blood center whose volunteer donors provide 100 percent of the blood needed by patients in 40 Arkansas hospitals.
To sign up for an appointment, email [email protected].
Members of the public are welcome to join students in signing up at the email above, or stop by the blood drive wihtout an appointment during its open hours. All donors will be screened for COVID-19 prior to donating, and must to follow all campus guidelines including wearing a face covering when indoors or around others.
Please be aware, COVID-19 antibody tests do not test diagnose illness. Only a diagnostic test may detect current infection. Individuals who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 or have any symptoms of COVID-19 should not donate until they have been symptom free for 14 days.
