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Red Cross blood drives planned in Wyandotte County

This spring as COVID-19 vaccines become more available and people resume some of their favorite activities, the American Red Cross is reminding the public that the need for blood remains.

Healthy individuals are encouraged to make a blood donation appointment now. But what about those who’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine – can they donate?

As long as donors are symptom-free, feeling well and can provide the vaccine manufacturer’s name, there’s no waiting period required after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized in the U.S. Additional blood donation eligibility information is available at RedCrossBlood.org/Eligibility.

Three reasons not to wait to donate:
• Donors, especially those with type O blood, are needed in May to help ensure blood products are available for patients now and into summer.
• Those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in May will be automatically entered for a chance to win a travel trailer camper that sleeps five, powered by Suburban Propane.
• Plus, those who make it in to give May 1-15 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, courtesy of Suburban Propane.

Schedule an appointment now to give blood and make it a summer full of life for patients. Appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Health insights for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Testing may also identify the presence of antibodies developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Plasma from routine blood and platelet donations that test positive for high levels of antibodies may be used as convalescent plasma to meet potential future needs of COVID-19 patients. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood product collected from COVID-19 survivors who have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is also screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive antibody test and sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face masks for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

Upcoming Red Cross blood donation opportunities in Wyandotte County include:

• From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

• From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 12, Cabelas, 10300 Cabela Drive, Kansas City, Kansas.

• From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, May 21, the New Bethel Church, 745 Walker Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Windy, high of 83, storms possible tonight and Wednesday

Wyandotte County could get from 1 to 1.5 inches of rain through Thursday. (National Weather Service graphic)

Rain will start tonight as a storm system moves from west to east. (National Weather Service graphic)

Wyandotte County is in an area of marginal risk for severe thunderstorms tonight. (National Weather Service graphic)

The risk of severe storms on Wednesday afternoon will be greater to the south of the Wyandotte County area. (National Weather Service graphic)

The forecast from the National Weather Service contains warm temperatures, southwest winds and thunderstorms tonight and Wednesday.

Scattered rain and thunderstorms will spread into the area this evening, the weather service said. In Wyandotte County, rain could start Tuesday night, according to the weather service’s hourly weather forecast at https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.1149&lon=-94.7708&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical.

The greatest rain chances will be early Wednesday morning, according to the weather service. The area could receive 1 to 1.5 inches of rain through Thursday, the forecast stated.

Today, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 83 and a south southwest wind around 17 mph, gusting as high as 31 mph, the weather service said.

Tonight, there will be a 60 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms, then rain likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 a.m., according to the weather service. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 64 and a south southwest wind of 6 to 11 mph. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday, there is a 90 percent chance of rain and possibly a thunderstorm, with a high near 75, the weather service said. A light and variable wind will become south southwest around 6 mph in the morning. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Wednesday night, there is a 70 percent chance of rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 a.m., then a chance of rain and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., according to the weather service. The low will be around 54 with a northeast wind of 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Between a half and three-quarters inch of rain is possible.

Thursday, there is a 20 percent chance of rain before 1 p.m., with a high near 68, the weather service said. A north northwest wind of 10 to 15 mph will gust as high as 26 mph.

Thursday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 43, according to the weather service.

Friday, it will be sunny with a high near 69, the weather service said.

Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 51, according to the weather service.

Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 77, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 59, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 80, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 60, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 78, the weather service said.

For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.

NWSL starts new chapter for KC women’s soccer

Kansas City forward Michele Vasconcelos slipped between two Houston defenders to get clear for a goal-scoring shot. Vasconcelos scored Kansas City’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to the Houston Dash. (Photo copyright 2021 by Brian Turrel)

by Brian Turrel

Children’s Mercy Park turned a slightly different shade of blue on Monday night as thousands of teal-clad fans of the new Kansas City NWSL women’s soccer team turned out for the franchise’s first home game. The game was sold out, although COVID restrictions limited the attendance.

The Houston Dash played the spoiler at Kansas City’s debut, defeating the hosts 3-1. Kristie Mewis scored a brace for the Dash, and Rachel Daly added one by penalty kick. Michele Vasconcelos scored Kansas City’s lone goal in a second half comeback effort that ended short.

In the first half, Kansas City controlled most of the possession, but Houston was more dangerous with its chances. The Dash got on the board in the 25th minute when USWNT member Mewis unleashed a left-footed blast from about 15 yards out.

Houston went up 2-0 in first half stoppage time. Houston’s Rachel Daly tangled with defender Rachel Corsie just inside Kansas City’s 18-yard box. The collision earned Daly a penalty kick that she took herself and converted.

After the half, Houston continued to press its advantage, and Mewis scored again in the 71st minute. Nichelle Prince streaked up the field and connected with Mewis for the goal.

Kansas City head coach Huw Williams made some late substitutions to create some offense, including bringing on forward Michele Vasconcelos in the 69th minute. Lo’eau LaBonta found Vansconcelos as she slipped between the two Houston center backs and fed her the ball to earn the goal for Kansas City.

Williams made a couple more late substitutions, but Kansas City was unable to break through again.

The match was part of the NWSL Challenge Cup, a tournament that kicks off the NWSL season. Kansas City will play its last Challenge Cup game on Monday, May 3, at 8 p.m. against the OL Reign of Seattle. The game will take place at the Field of Legends, home ballpark of the Kansas City Monarchs.

The regular season schedule will be announced later.