Roll Up Your Sleeve: Donate Blood This Month to Boost Critically Low Supplies

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News Release: August 3, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

The American Red Cross urges area residents to donate blood at drives to be held this month, as the agency faces critical shortages.

The Red Cross is appealing to all individuals to donate blood and is particularly interested in Type O negative blood as this is the universal blood donor type, meaning that it can be transfused to anyone in cases of emergencies.

“Right now, patients in hospitals across the country need you to roll up your sleeve and give the gift of lifesaving blood,” said Molly Dalton, American Red Cross Blood Services, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region. “Blood must be available at a moment’s notice to help anyone in need. It will not be there without generous, volunteer blood donors. Patients are counting on the community’s generosity.”

The American Red Cross is asking everyone who is at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 105 pounds, and who is healthy to please give blood and help build the area’s blood supply to a safe level.

The bloodmobile will visit the following locations in Carbon County during August: Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Gnaden Huetten Conference Center, Sixth & Iron streets, Lehighton; and Thursday, Aug. 19, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, West 10th Street, Jim Thorpe.

For more information, call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 377-2100 or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE.