The American Red Cross, along with actor James Van Der Beek and his wife, Kimberly, urge all who are healthy to make this a summer full of life for patients by scheduling an appointment to give blood or platelets.

Newtown has at least three Red Cross blood drives planned in June.

As the nation transitions to a new, hopeful phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and people begin to return to some of their favorite activities, the Red Cross is concerned about the impact this could have on blood donor turnout and the blood supply this summer. The need for lifesaving blood transfusions never takes a break. It is critical to have blood ready to go when every second counts.

The Van Der Beek family knows firsthand how important blood donations are in a health crisis. In the past year, Kimberly Van Der Beek experienced back-to-back pregnancy losses. Each time, she needed emergency hospital care and blood transfusions to save her life.

James Van Der Beek said donating blood “is something that I’ve always done throughout my life. It seemed important.

“But I never knew how important until the woman I love most was in a situation where that much blood made the difference between life and death,” he also shared. “It just brought it home in a very real way.”

Hemorrhaging is the leading cause of pregnancy-related complications that can occur anytime during pregnancy.

Dr Ross Herron, divisional chief medical officer for the Red Cross, points out that in instances of severe bleeding, blood transfusions often play a lifesaving role.

“For mothers with complicated pregnancies or deliveries, generous donors are the only source of the transfusions they may need to survive,” he said.

“If you’ve never given blood before, allow this to be your formal invitation. Will you please give blood?” added Kimberly Van Der Beek.

Individuals of all blood types are urged to schedule an appointment now to give blood, and in most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate. Knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important to determine donation eligibility.

Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross blood donor app, visiting redcrossblood.org, calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To offer thanks for making this a summer full of life, those who give blood, platelets or plasma through the end of May will automatically be entered for a chance to win a 2021 Coachmen Clipper Cadet 21CBH camper, powered by Suburban Propane, via its SuburbanCares initiative.

The Red Cross is also thanking those who donate between May 28 and June 13 with a limited edition T-shirt, while supplies last.

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet, and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease.

Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity, and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross blood donor app and the online donor portal.

Multiple blood drives are regularly scheduled across Fairfield County, and the state. Visit the Red Cross website for details.

Newtown Congregational Church has three blood drives scheduled in June.

The church, at 14 West Street, will welcome donors on Thursday, June 10, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Friday, June 11, 8:30 am to 1:30 pm; and Friday, June 25, 8:30 am to 6 pm. Appointments are available and strongly suggested. Masks must be worn and social distancing will be enforced.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center adheres to the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions including temperature checks have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.