MURRAY, Neb., - U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams is urging healthy Americans to donate blood as supplies around the country dwindle and blood drives cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic. Murray residents answered the call on Thursday.

Angie Hogue, dance team coach at Conestoga High School, said the National Honor Society normally sponsors blood drives at the school. Since the school is closed due to the pandemic, the Murray Christian Church stepped up to host the American Red Cross drive.

Hogue: “I give blood because I just genuinely like to help people.

Jensen: “That’s true. She does.”

Hogue: “I feel like it’s a good thing. There’s all this stuff on the news that’s all negative about the coronavirus and I just know that, you know, there’s social distancing and we can all do that, but another way we can help is by giving blood.”

 

Donated red blood cells last 42 days and platelets only five, so the blood supply needs to be replenished

First-time donor Gena Jensen of Murray said donating is a simple way to make a huge difference.

Jensen: “A donation can save up to three people. I think it can help in other ways too because those three people have a family and it helps them, not have to be worried about blood loss or whatever else that they need. Just think of all the people who are not coming out to do blood donations because they are worried about getting sick, people still need blood. We can do it.”

The church reports that it had 13 people the last time it hosted a blood drive, but there were 33 with appointments on Thursday. The schedule was full, so walk-ins provided contact information to be called in case of a no-show.

Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts urged Nebraskans to donate blood at his pandemic conference on Monday. He said 150 blood drives had been canceled resulting in 4,000 fewer donations than expected.