***Media Photo/Video/Interview Opportunity***
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer Donates Blood & Will Be Tested for COVID-19 Antibodies
WHAT:
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is working alongside OneBlood to further support the Central Florida community by donating blood and continuing to make blood donation sites available throughout Orlando.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., the Big Red Bus® will be in outside the Orlando City Hall Plaza at 400 South Orange Avenue to accept blood donations.
At 11:45 a.m., Mayor Dyer will be arrive at the Big Red Bus® to donate blood, greet the OneBlood health professionals on the bus and encourage others in the community to donate. With his donation, Mayor Dyer is stressing the importance of making blood donation a habit. He last donated eight weeks ago and is now eligible to donate again.
Additionally, as part of Mayor Dyer’s blood donation, he will learn if he has the coronavirus antibody. That’s because OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, is testing all blood donations for the COVID-19 antibody.
With no cure or vaccine to prevent coronavirus, doctors are turning to convalescent plasma, rich with coronavirus antibodies, to help treat their critically ill coronavirus patients.
WHEN:
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
11:45 a.m.
WHERE:
Big Red Bus
Orlando City Hall Plaza, 400 South Orange Avenue
TO DONATE BLOOD:
Due to social distancing measures that OneBlood has in place, all donors are required to make an appointment to donate. Appointments can be made online at www.oneblood.org or by calling 1-888-9DONATE.
In alignment with CDC guidelines, media is encouraged to wear a cloth face covering and to maintain six feet of physical distance between others at all times.
Due to space limitations, media members will not be allowed on the bus to capture photography or video. However, OneBlood will capture these assets and provide upon request following the donation.
Additionally, a OneBlood Media Tool Kit is available here, that includes video of COVID-19 antibody testing and soundbites with Susan Forbes, OneBlood senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations, as well as sound from Ben Reynolds, Laboratory Director for Creative Testing Solutions.