Donors needed during critical blood shortage; Local drives offered in September
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LOCK HAVEN -- According to Sherry Nealon-Shrive, executive director of American Red Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the American Red Cross is facing only the second national blood crisis in its history -- and donors are urgently needed now to help ensure hospitals have the blood products patients depend on every day.
While thousands have stepped up since the emergency blood and platelet shortage was announced, the blood supply remains vulnerable. Additional donors are needed now to help protect patient care.
Seasonal challenges in the weeks ahead could place additional strain on the blood supply. Travel plans and back-to-school activities can disrupt a donor's availability to give. When fewer donors are available to give, the impact on available lifesaving blood products can be significant, especially when the blood supply is already facing a four-year summer low.
There's also an emergency platelet shortage. Nearly half of all platelet transfusions are given to patients battling cancer. Without platelets, many lifesaving cancer treatments must be delayed.
A readily available blood and platelet supply is the backbone of modern medicine.
According to Cristina Maisel, American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager, all donors who come to give blood or platelets from Sept. 1-20 will receive an exclusive Red Cross Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and surprise sticker pack, while supplies last. See RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty for more details.
You can make a difference! Your blood donation this month could help stabilize the blood supply. All previous donors and new, first time blood donors are encouraged to make a donation in September.
Donors are encouraged to consider doing a Power Red Donation: Maximize your blood donation and help more patients. If you are blood type O, A- or B- then consider making the Power Red donation. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component.
For more information or to book an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-in blood donors are always welcomed at any of the blood drive sites.
Here are some local blood drives that can be the start of your blood donating experience:
Clinton County Blood Drives
-- Sept. 8 and Sept. 9 – 1-6 p.m., at LHU Rec. Center, 550 Railroad St., Lock Haven.
-- Sept. 14 – 1-6 p.m., at Holy Spirit Parish, 7 E. Walnut St., Lock Haven.
-- Sept. 18 – 12:30-5 p.m., at Albright United Methodist Church, 47 E. Main, Loganton.
Centre County Blood Drives
-- Sept. 3 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Penn State HUB, Hetzel Union Bldg., Pollock Road, University Park.
-- Sept. 3, from 12-5:30 p.m., at the American Philatelic Society, Match Factory, Bellefonte.
-- Sept. 8 – 12:30-6 p.m., at Trinity United Methodist Church, Front St., Philipsburg.
-- Sept. 10 – 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at PSU Smeal Business Bldg., University Park.
-- Sept. 12 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Faith United Methodist Church, Bellefonte.
-- Sept. 15 – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Penn State HUB, Hetzel Union Bldg., University Park.
-- Sept. 16 – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Intermediate Unit 10, Shadylane Dr., Philipsburg.
-- Sept. 18 – 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at PSU Hintze Family Alumni Center, University Park.
Lycoming County Blood Drives
-- Sept. 11 – 12-5 p.m., at UPMC Divine Providence Campus, Grampian Blvd., Williamsport.
-- Sept. 16 – 1:30-6 p.m., at St. Joseph the Worker, 720 W. 4th St., Williamsport.