Boys and Girls Club partners with Vitalant for blood drive in Goleta

GOLETA, Calif. -- The United Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County will be partnering with Vitalant to host a blood drive in Goleta on June 19.

The blood drive will be held in the gym of the the Goleta Unit club located at 5701 Hollister Avenue on June 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The gym was chosen as a place to maintain social distancing and keep donors safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vitalant is encouraging everyone in the community with all blood types to help donate. They say they are in high need for type O, A-negative and B-negative red blood cells.

They also encourage people to help donate platelets that are needed by cancer patients, surgeries and emergencies. Platelets have a short shelf life of five days, this is all the more reason why platelets supplies need to be continually replenished.

Vitalant recently released a campaign called "Because of You, Life Doesn't Stop" which callas all donors to take action and give blood or convalescent plasma to meet immediate and ongoing needs.

Vitalant says recovered COVID-19 patients have immune-boosting antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in their plasma which can be given to patients currently fighting COVID-19.

The Boys and Girls Club say they are proud to be part of the campaign by providing a space for donors to come and donate blood.

The blood drive will follow all COVID-19 procedures and will take donors temperatures upon check-in.

Donors and staff are required to wear face makes or cloth-based face coverings, and ensuring social distancing.