LOCK HAVEN -- The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage as the number of donations this summer has been too low to sustain its blood supply.
According to a release from the Red Cross, its blood supply fell nearly 25 percent in June.
Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay, the release said. The shortage is especially serious for platelets and types O positive and B negative blood.
"A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible," said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. "Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can't support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We're asking donors to give now before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions."
The release noted a steep decline in donations since the end of May, which created a growing gap between supply and patient need.
Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season.
On top of that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient care at risk if not reversed, the release said.
The Red Cross encourages anyone who is able to donate blood to book an appointment as soon as possible.
Possible donors can download the Blood Donor app, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to schedule an appointment.
The release noted, as a thank you to donors, anyone who donates will receive a Fandango movie ticket by email, up to $15 ticket price and fees, from now through July 31. Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.
The Red Cross's release emphasized the critical need to rebuild the nation's blood supply and the impact a donation can have.
A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation's blood supply:
-- Less than 1 in 5 respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.
-- Only about half believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need blood one day -- even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.
Local blood drives
The following is a list of blood drives in the Clinton, Centre, Lycoming area compiled by the Red Cross:
Clinton County
-- July 16, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.: Lock Haven Moose Lodge, 150 South Hanna St., Lock Haven
-- July 23, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Sugar Valley Volunteer Fire Company, 24 W. Anthony St., Loganton
-- July 29, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Dunnstown Fire Hall, 119 Woodward Ave., Lock Haven
Centre County
-- July 15, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.: Penn State HUB, Hetzel Union Building, University Park
-- July 16, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: PSU Smeal Business Building, Smeal Business Building, University Park
-- July 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.: Faith United Methodist Church, 512 Hughes St., Bellefonte
-- July 22, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Penn State Penn Stater Hotel, Penn Stater Hotel, University Park
-- July 27, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Saint Andrew's Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave., State College
-- July 28, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Penn State University Physical Plant Building, Physical Plant Building, University Park
-- July 29, 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.: Halfmoon Township Building, 100 Municipal Ln., Port Matilda
-- July 30, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: PSU ECoRE Building, 556 White Course Dr., State College
-- July 30, 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.: Boalsburg Volunteer Fire Company, 113 E Pine St., Boalsburg
Lycoming County
-- July 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Your Building Center, 280 Arch St., Williamsport
-- July 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Muncy First United Methodist Church, 602 S. Market St., Muncy
-- July 20, 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m.: Trinity Episcopal Church, 844 W. 4th St., Williamsport
-- July 21, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.: Acacia Club, 348 Market St., Williamsport
-- July 22, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Woodlands Bank, 2450 E. Third St., Williamsport
-- July 22, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Duboistown Church, 133 Summer St., South Williamsport
-- July 22, 1 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1407 Allegheny St., Jersey Shore
-- July 23, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m.: UPMC Muncy Place, 215 E. Water St., Muncy
-- July 24, 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m.: Church of the Resurrection, 75 Musser Lane, Muncy
-- July 28, 1 p.m.-6 p.m.: Elimsport United Methodist Church, 16145 S. Route 44 Hwy., Allenwood