Keep the blood flowing: Centre proclaims National Blood Donor Month
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BELLEFONTE -- The Centre County Commissioners recognized January 2025 as National Blood Donor Month in the county at their meeting this week, highlighting the vital work of the American Red Cross.
From July 2024 to today, the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross has held 101 blood drives in Centre County, collecting over 3,000 units of blood, according to Megan Switzer, a board member of the organization in attendance.
"That's actually the highest count in all of our region, so way to go Centre County," said Switzer, who was present to share statistics about the Red Cross's Centre County operations.
Both the Commissioners and Switzer spoke highly of the generosity of Centre County and the residents' commitment to ensuring our region's chapter of the American Red Cross is equipped for disasters and crises.
"Obviously we don't like to think about it, but when there's an accident -- when you've hurt yourself on a construction site, when something goes badly wrong during outdoor recreation -- you really need the blood donors to have lined up a couple of weeks in advance at those 101 different events," said Chair of the Board of Commissioners Mark Higgins.
When times of need suddenly arise, proactive blood donation is critical in ensuring those who need blood have access to it. During the winter, donor appointments and turnout typically decrease due to weather, seasonal illness and many other factors. Declaring January National Blood Donor Month is meant to remind the public of the importance of donating blood to maintain a stable blood supply for when people or communities are met with crises.
"It's good to be thinking about this when it's good times and when it's convenient to go donate blood, not just when there's circumstances that bring attention to the need," said Commissioner Amber Concepcion. "We know, certainly in circumstances where there's natural disasters or anytime there's a large number of people at once who might need blood donations, it's really important to have enough in the bank ahead of time."
Echoing the others, Commissioner Steven Dershem added, "Whether it's a natural disaster or complications during childbirth, it could be multiple things during surgery, it's important we maintain a constant, reliable, steady flow of donor blood."
According to Switzer, since the start of their fiscal year in July, their chapter has been able to respond to three disasters, thanks in large part to the 138 regular volunteers from the Centre County area.
"(We have) great support from this area and we hope it all continues," she said.
According to the American Red Cross's website, severe winter weather and wildfires have forced thousands of blood donations to go uncollected. While Sweitzer was unaware of any specific types of blood in dire need, the national organization warned of an emergency shortage of platelets, as well as types O negative and B negative blood.
"If you have particularly a desirable blood type, now would be a great time to consider donation and keep that up throughout the year," said Dershem.
Switzer encouraged donors to consider downloading the Red Cross's app for reminders about when they are eligible to donate blood, information about upcoming blood drives and more.
Throughout the next week, qualifying donors can sign up to donate blood at any of the following events:
-- Wednesday, Jan. 15: Penn State University Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, Curtin Road, University Park, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
-- Thursday, Jan. 16: American Philatelic Society, 100 Match Factory Place, Bellefonte, 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
-- Thursday, Jan. 16: Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries (ASI) Building, University Park, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
-- Friday, Jan. 17: Penn State University Student Health Center, Student Health Center, University Park, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
-- Monday, Jan. 20: Milesburg Community Center, 101 Mill St., Milesburg, 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.
-- Monday, Jan. 20: Park Forest Baptist Church, 3030 Carnegie Dr., State College, 12 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
-- Wednesday, Jan. 22: Penn State University Physical Plant Building, Physical Plant Building Conference Room, University Park, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
In other business commissioners:
-- Approved a contract with Stahl Sheaffer Engineering to provide structural engineering services related to the Courthouse retaining wall replacement project. The contract total is not to exceed $6,300.
-- Approved the certification of appropriations for the 2025 Agricultural Land Preservation Program. The total funding is $107,099 allocated as follows: $80,000 for standard County allocation, $27,099 for 2024 Clean & Green interest and the following commitments under MPP: up to $6,700 from Ferguson Township and $25,000 from Potter Township.
-- Added Addendum No. 1 with Brockerhoff Housing Corporation to allow funds to provide additional Representative Payee Services for individuals served through Intellectual Disabilities Services in the amount of $2,200 to next week's Consent Agenda. Service Provider's maximum allocation will increase from $7,800 to $10,000. The new contract total is $10,000 funded as follows: State $9,539 and County Match $461 for the period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.
-- Approved this week's Consent Agenda.
-- Approved Gillian Warner for a position on the Ag Land Preservation Board for a term from Jan. 14, 2025, to Aug. 31, 2025.
-- Noted that Centre County Government Offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.