SALT LAKE CITY — There’s activity inside Vivint Smart Home Arena once again, but it’s not basketball. The Larry H. Miller Group and the American Red Cross are holding a weeklong blood drive at the home of the Utah Jazz through Friday.
In an effort to support Utah’s hospitals, the LHM Group opened up Vivint’s doors for donors to come by and be a part of giving back.
“We know that emergencies and health conditions will continue to impact Utahns during the pandemic,” said Greg Miller, director of the LHM Group. “Just one unit of blood can help as many as three people. If we can do our part to enable blood donations during these five days, we know that we can help save countless lives.”
While the “Driven to Assist” blood drive is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., it is important to note that donors must make an appointment at RedCrossBlood.org, using the sponsor code LHM.
Each donor must be at least 16 years old (with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. All blood types are needed.
“The American Red Cross now has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume nonurgent and elective procedures during the COVID- 19 pandemic,” said Red Cross Regional Executive Heidi Ruster. “Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood.”
Donors will receive a Jazz 40-year commemorative cup, a $10 online credit to the Utah Jazz Team Store, and a voucher for one free regular-sized popcorn valid at any Megaplex theater location to be used once movies return.
“This is a great opportunity for the community to come together and do something good during this time of stress,” said Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health.
Precautions taken to ensure the health and safety of all staff and donors at donation sites is being given the highest priority including temperature checks for everyone who enters the building, hand sanitizer before and during donation, social distance between donors at all times, routine disinfecting of all surfaces and equipment, making sure all donors and staff wear face masks, and of course the use of sterile collection sets.
Free parking is available at the Park Place lot on 300 West between North Temple and South Temple. No bags, including purses, are allowed inside Vivint Arena, and donors must have ID.