MOSES LAKE — Since the coronavirus pandemic began, the variation in blood collection and supply has been a “roller coaster,” according to Ryan Rodin, executive director of the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The need for blood is high across the country currently, even while organizations such as the American Red Cross work to meet the demand.

Initially, he said, in the first month of the pandemic, the Red Cross saw drives canceled left and right — more than 20,000 drives were canceled. At the same time, the need for blood dropped significantly as hospitals canceled elective surgeries and people went out less in general. Since things have opened up somewhat more recently, the need for blood has increased.

“Our ability to collect is still being hampered by the pandemic, because a lot of our collection typically happens at high schools, colleges and universities,” Rodin said.

However, the organization has set up a blood donation event scheduled for 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 9, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meetinghouse at 1849 Nelson Road NE, Moses Lake.

The gap between blood supply and demand continues to increase, and Rodin said it is vital that the Red Cross is able to make the most of the drives it does hold. He said he expects a high level of need lasting well into the winter, with COVID-19 numbers expected to rise in the fall and winter as people spend more time indoors.

“I think the need for blood is only going to increase, especially if things tighten back down and even fewer places are able to hold drives for us,” Rodin said. “Right now, we’re trying to take full advantage of the ones we can and filling them up as much as we can.”

The Red Cross has also been offering free COVID-19 antibody tests for all blood donations since June, Rodin said, and it will continue at least through the rest of the year. People who donate can find out if they have COVID-19 antibodies in their blood in seven to 10 days after donating. Plasma with antibodies present will go to help people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, he said.

“We can pull the plasma out of the blood, it’s called convalescent plasma, and then we can transfuse that into people who are currently hospitalized with COVID,” Rodin said. “It’s showing some efficacy. I think the science is still out on it a little bit, but it’s showing enough efficacy where it’s certainly worth it to do that procedure.”

Rodin said the Red Cross communicates with elected officials on a regular basis, keeping them up to date on what the organization is up to. As the need for blood drives started to rise, Rep. Tom Dent and Sen. Judy Warnick “raised their hands” for hosting a drive in Moses Lake.

“We typically haven’t done a lot in the past there, but I’m hoping with this relationship with them that this will be the start of regular drives in the area,” Rodin said.

Measures will be taken at the blood drive to ensure safety and social distancing.

Rodin assured the Red Cross appreciates anyone who is able to come out and donate.

As of Monday, only eight people had signed up to donate on Nov. 9. Anyone interested in signing up to donate blood can do so online by looking up “98837” in the search bar at redcrossblood.org.