CHEYENNE (WNE) – COVID-19 caused mass cancellations across every industry, and unfortunately, the same was true for blood drives.

According to Vitalant Communications Director Brooke Way, the nonprofit’s blood drive operations missed out on about 43,000 donations nationwide due to the virus and its effects.

But the nonprofit is looking to receive more donations before the holiday season – in part, by hosting a blood drive in partnership with Cheyenne Frontier Days – to help a range of people, from cancer patients to premature babies to those who’ve had organ transplants. Each blood donation is tested for COVID-19 antibodies, and if a sample has the antibodies, that person can donate their plasma to help treat people currently facing COVID-19.

The CFD blood drive will take place from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 21 and 22 at the CFD Event Center. Residents can also donate to the CFD drive during business hours, from Dec. 21 to Dec. 26 at Vitalant’s Cheyenne location, 112 E. Eighth Ave.

Participating residents will be entered into a drawing to win Two VIP Passes to the PRCA Rodeo Performance of their choice during the 125th Cheyenne Frontier Days in July, which includes a special pre-rodeo lunch. Way commended CFD for stepping up as a community partner during such a difficult time, pointing to the other blood drive CFD hosted over the summer.

The need for plasma donations from those with coronavirus antibodies is high. The antibodies are given to patients with COVID-19 to help their bodies fight the virus.

Those who have recovered from COVID-19 have the option to donate their plasma at Vitalant.