The Hollywood Post 43 American Legion, UCLA Health and the UCLA Blood & Platelet Center have teamed up to host a blood drive in support of the Los Angeles healthcare system and patients in need on Sunday, April 5 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the storied L.A. theater. The theater and home to veterans organization Post 43 American Legion will be transformed into a blood donation center in accordance with CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines.

The Hollywood Post 43 American Legion Blood Drive comes at a time when the national blood supply is dwindling due to the rise in coronavirus cases and lack of access to usual donation methods. The CDC encourages those who are well (especially young people) to donate blood urgently to save lives of those who are most at risk.  To keep the Los Angeles community safe throughout the necessary blood donation process, Post 43 will be encouraging potential donors to schedule appointments in advance in order to control the number of people at the donation center at any given time.

“Hollywood Post 43 is committed to providing local citizens with a safe and sterile option for critical blood donations and continued support of the community during these unprecedented times,” Jennifer Campbell, commander of Hollywood Post 43, said in a statement.

As the coronavirus outbreak expands in Los Angeles and California, Hollywood Post 43 is taking additional action to increase the safety of its veteran members, with an emphasis on the elderly.  All Post 43 members have been strongly advised to practice social distancing at this time and urge elderly members and those in poor health or with a compromised immune system to stay home.

About a dozen Post 43 members have also volunteered to reach out to elderly members via phone to ensure they have access to groceries, meals, essential needs and are being cared for. The Post has and will continue to make safe deliveries of groceries and toiletries to its at-risk members.

Maintaining members’ and participants’ health during the upcoming blood drive is a top priority for Post 43 organizers.  To ease any concerns or answer remaining questions, potential donors can familiarize themselves with the current CDC guidelines that the Blood Drive will adhere to:

  • Beds will be spaced 6 feet apart.
  • Seating for registration and canteen will also be spaced 6 feet apart.
  • Donors will be given an unused pen to fill out any paperwork, and the donor history questionnaire will be on recyclable copy paper to ensure that no one is sharing the donor history books.
  • Donors’ temperature will be taken immediately upon entry and again while staff take donors’ medical history.
  • Staff temperatures will be taken throughout the day.
  • Extra time in between donors will be taken to properly sanitize donor beds and equipment.
  • Donors will be asked to wash hands.
  • UCLA Health has also updated their travel restrictions for countries that have an outbreak of COVID-19.

To schedule a blood donation appointment, go online at ucedonor.com, and enter code POST43 in the zip code or account code box. Potential donors can also make an appointment by visiting uclahealth.org/gotblood, or calling (310) 825-0888 x2.

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Pre-Corona Days ( Courtesy The Hollywood Post 43 American Legion)

All blood donors will need to bring a photo ID, and will receive an AMC Movie Ticket for their participation.  Donors are encouraged to eat well and increase fluid intake a couple of days before and the day of blood donation.

American Legion Hollywood Post 43 is located at 2035 N. Highland Avenue, Hollywood Hills. Free parking will be available at Post 43 (limited number of spaces). Free parking is also available across the street in the lot adjacent to the Hollywood Heritage Museum.

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