CLINTON – Citing an urgent need for blood donors, the Vespasian Warner Public Library District, in Clinton, will host a blood drive on Saturday, July 25 in partnership with the Central Illinois Community Blood Center.

A bloodmobile will be present, and the blood drive will be held from 9 a.m.-noon at the library, 310 N. Quincy Street.

The need for additional donors is being driven by a high number of blood drive cancellations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donors may schedule an appointment by calling the library’s program coordinator, Marie Maltby at (217) 935-5174.  Online registration is also available at www.bloodcenter.org.

All donors will receive a voucher for a $10 gift card.

To maintain a safe, hygienic environment at blood drives:

• All staff and donors are now required to wear a face covering while participating in a mobile blood drive. Paper masks will be provided for those who arrive without their own mask or facial covering.

• Donors are now required to make appointments for donation. To maintain social distancing and appropriate donor flow, walk-ins will only be accepted when an appointment slot is available.

•   Potential donors who in the last 14 days have been within six feet of someone who has a COVID-19 infection or is being tested for the virus for greater than 15 minutes without use of personal protective equipment are asked to refrain from donation.

• Prior to donation, donors are screened for symptoms of illness (body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and hemoglobin level all are checked, and the donor completes a pre-donation Donor History Questionnaire).

• When possible, donors are asked to complete the Donor History Questionnaire online on the same day as their donation (see www.bloodcenter.org/EarlyQ)

• Staff have added space between chairs in screening areas and in the post-donation refreshment area. Between donations, staff wipe down chairs and surfaces to maintain a safe, hygienic environment.