Miller-Keystone Blood Center has announced that the wearing of masks while indoors will be required for all donors and staff at its donor centers and blood drives.

According to D. Kip Kuttner, D.O., vice president/medical director, the requiring of masks is due to an increase in COVID cases in our region. “Miller-Keystone Blood Center is required by the CDC to review cases of COVID reporting on a daily basis,” Kuttner said.

“When cases in the Blood Center’s service area reach levels of concern, we are compelled to implement the wearing of masks for the safety of both our donors and staff.”

Despite the mask requirement, Dr. Kuttner encourages all blood donors to schedule and keep their blood donation appointments at this time.

“While in the past, Miller-Keystone has been able to import blood products from other centers across the nation, that is not the case this year as blood supplies across the United States are at a historically critical low.”

“Blood is perishable and there is no substitute - the only source is from volunteer blood donors,” Kuttner adds.

Donors must be 16 years of age or older, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be feeling healthy; they must not have donated in the past eight weeks, however platelet donors are eligible within 8 days of a donation. Parental consented is needed for 16-year-olds.

Masks will be required regardless of vaccination status. To schedule a donation, call 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667) or visit GIVEaPINT.org.