Blood Supply Levels Dropping;
Please Roll Up Your Sleeve and Donate
News Release: May 10, 2007
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

The number of people giving blood has dropped in the last several days and blood supply levels are dropping, according to American Red Cross officials.

“We’re experiencing a decrease in donations, and it’s not even the summer season when it’s traditionally more difficult to collect enough blood to meet patient needs. We’re urging people to donate now,” said Molly Dalton, communications manager for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Region. “The blood supply must constantly be replaced and various blood products can only be stored for so long,”

Following is the schedule for Carbon County Red Cross blood drives for May and June:

Wednesday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony;

Friday, May 25, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center, 353 West Railroad Street, Nesquehoning;

Wednesday, June 13, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Lehighton Recreation Center, 243 S. Eighth Street, Lehighton;

Thursday, June 21, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall, West 10th Street, Jim Thorpe; and

Monday, June 25, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Palmerton Boro Hall, 455 Delaware Avenue, Palmerton.

Blood helps patients of all ages from newborn infants to senior citizens. Patients having surgery, cancer patients, burn and trauma victims, patients with various blood disorders and so many others benefit from blood transfusions.

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

Can’t make the scheduled blood collection dates in your area? Not a problem. Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) to schedule a donation appointment at your convenience.

The American Red Cross has many incentives waiting for those who participate in its blood drives as it rolls out its 2007 Summer Campaign, “Consider Yourself Asked,” May 21-Sept. 9.

Here is what you could win:

$50 gas card. Sixteen winners to be selected by weekly random drawings May 28-Sept. 10.

Apple iPod. Three winners to be selected by random drawings in May, June and July.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Tickets. Win a pair of free tickets to a home game with special VIP treatment. Total of 13 winners will be selected by a random drawing.

Everyone who participates will receive special holiday-themed T-shirts. Memorial Day (May 21-May 31); Independence Day (July 2-July 8); Labor Day (Aug. 27-Sept. 9).

In addition, the American Red Cross will donate 1,000 coloring books to children in local hospitals in honor of reaching 1,000 first-time donors during the summer campaign.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves 800,000 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 23,000 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.