News Release: December 30, 2002
Contact: Janice Osborne, Manager-Media & Community Affairs
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
Since 1970, January has been declared National Volunteer Blood Donor Month (NVBDM). To help ensure an adequate blood supply, the American Red Cross has joined with American Association of Blood Banks to stress the importance of giving the gift of life through the donation of blood.
According to Carl Kist, branch manager for the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, the need for blood is constant, and volunteer blood donors contribute to nearly all the blood used for patient care in the United States.
“If all who are eligible to donate would do so on a regular basis (three to four times per year), blood needs could be met and shortages could become a thing of the past,” Kist said.
In recognition of January as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, a joint proclamation was signed by three Carbon County area mayors: Ronald Confer of Jim Thorpe, Wilbur Bauchspies of Lehighton, and Salvatore A. Digiglio of Nesquehoning.
January blood drives is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, at the Nesquehoning Recreational Center, West Railroad Street from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.; and Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at Split Rock Resort in the Galleria, Lake Harmony, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Each day, patients across the country receive approximately 34,000 units of this life-saving resource. This year alone, as many as four million patients will require blood
transfusions, as accident victims, people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer and other diseases.
br>People who are interested in becoming blood donors should call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE for more information. Make an appointment today to Give Blood…The Gift of Life. To be a blood donor, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 105 pounds, be healthy, and make sure there are 56 days between your blood donations.
