Charitable travelers

If any travelers are like me and like to help their fellow man by donating blood when they can, a change in blood bank policies is worth noting.

In the past, after traveling to a malaria-infected country, any blood donor would be deferred from donating for one year. I discovered recently that, after someone travels to a malaria-infected country, donation is now allowed after only three months’ deferral.

Please check with your local blood donation center to see if you can donate now, as, with the COVID-19 pandemic, blood supplies are in critical need.

JIM SCHOON
Danville, IL