DOING GOOD: Common Space Brewery Hosting Blood Drive for the American Red Cross in April

“Doing Good” is more than just a phrase, it’s a mindset that the beer community, and the world, needs now more than ever. In this brand new article series, we’re seeking out the charitable fundraising, the positive movements, and the communal giving back that’s going on in our local Los Angeles beer community.

Kicking things off is Common Space Brewery in Hawthorne who, despite being closed for business, is opening up their taproom and event space to host a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Tuesday April 7th and April 14th from 9am to 7pm.

For those of you thinking, “this seems like a scary time to host a gathering of people under one roof” – this is one gathering that’s necessary. The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage due to regularly scheduled blood drives being canceled during the coronavirus outbreak and subsequent shelter in place mandates.

Through March 16, about 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in 86,000 fewer blood donations. In Southern California, there have been 307 blood drives canceled and Red Cross will be unable to collect 10,881 units of blood as a result. Cancelations are only expected to increase as time goes on, making this a critical time to act.

The American Red Cross is calling upon HEALTHY individuals to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.

“CDC encourages people who are well to continue to donate blood if they are able, even if they are practicing social distancing because of COVID-19.”
— CDC WEBSITE

Here’s how Common Space and The American Red Cross are ensuring safety during this blood drive:

• With over 9,000 sq ft of event space, we will be spacing all donors at a minimum of six feet from each other while waiting and registering.
• We will be checking the temperature of staff and donors before entering the drive to make sure they are healthy.
• We will be providing hand sanitizer for use before the drive, as well as throughout the donation process.
• We will be spacing beds to follow social distancing practices between blood donors.
• We will be increasing the enhanced disinfecting of surfaces and equipment.

All of this is in addition to the thorough safety protocols that Red Cross employees use at every blood drive and donation center to help prevent the spread of any type of infection, including:

• Wearing gloves and changing gloves with each donor
• Routinely wiping down donor-touched areas
• Using sterile collection sets for every donation, and
• Preparing the arm for donation with an aseptic scrub

And for those of us that might still be concerned, to this date, there is no evidence and there are no reported cases of the coronavirus – or any respiratory virus – being transmitted by a blood transfusion.

For more info on the blood drive, see Common Space’s event page.

And to register for the blood drive, click here.

Thanks to Common Space Brewery for stepping up and DOING GOOD in Los Angeles.