Red Cross Issues Plea to Eligible Blood Donors: Give Blood This Month
News Release: August 2, 2006
Contact: Janice Osborne, director-Communications and Marketing; (610) 865-4400, ext. 262

The American Red Cross is reporting a decline in available blood, and is issuing an urgent plea to eligible blood donors to give the gift of life as soon as possible.
“The local blood supply is below normal,” says Molly Dalton, of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region, “yet local patients continue to depend on the blood supply. This summer has proven difficult to collect enough blood to meet the local need of patients. We are asking all local donors to respond by scheduling an appointment this month.”

The bloodmobile will visit the following locations in Carbon County in August:

Monday, Aug. 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the American Legion Post 314, 381 Bridge Street, Lehighton;

Thursday, Aug. 17, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, West 10th Street, Jim Thorpe; and

Thursday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Palmerton Borough Hall, 455 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton.

Donors at August blood drives will be automatically entered to win one of three plasma TVs. Other prizes include $50 gas cards, and, for high school age teens, an Apple iPod.

Declined blood collection not only puts a strain on an already vulnerable blood supply, but also the lack of scheduled appointments makes it particularly difficult for the American Red Cross to meet the needs of local patients. Each day, countless trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies and surgical candidates rely on the availability of blood for transfusion.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is healthy may give blood.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.