American Red Cross Needs 9,000 Blood Donations in August

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News Release: August 2, 2005
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

Buddy Blood Drop has run away, and is not coming back until 9,000 people give blood in August. “I’m not coming back until the (blood donor) beds are filled up again,” he stated. “This blood is very important to my buddies, the hospital patients. My buddies need 9,000 people to give blood in August. I’m not coming back until they do.”

Buddy is the mascot for American Red Cross Blood Services, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region (NEPA), and symbolizes the many drops of blood in each life-saving blood donation. In our area, not enough people are currently giving blood, while the need for blood is growing. The American Red Cross is asking the communities of central and northeastern Pennsylvania to give blood and to bring Buddy back.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is healthy may give blood. For more information, call the local Red Cross at (610) 377-2100.

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile will make the following visits in Carbon County during the month of August:

Wednesday, August 17, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Blue Mountain Health System Conference Center (formerly Gnaden Huetten Conference Center), Sixth and Iron streets in Lehighton, and

Thursday, August 18, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, W. 10th Street in Jim Thorpe.