Winter Storm Seriously Hampers Blood Collections; Public Urged to Donate
News Release: February 22, 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 recent blast of wintry weather forced the cancellation of many American Red Cross blood drives, and kept blood and platelet donors away from those that did take place, resulting in a loss of about 1,000 blood donations. The loss translates into about 3,000 blood products thus far that are not available for the area’s hospital patients. Red Cross is appealing to area residents to donate platelets at one of the region’s two platelet donor centers and blood at Red Cross blood drives scheduled for this month:

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

Friday, March 23, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Nesquehoning Recreation Center, 353 West Railroad Street, Nesquehoning.

Unable to donate on March 1 or March 23? Call American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

“We have had to cut back on supplying the hospitals by about ten percent so far due to the loss,” explained Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Chief Executive Officer Tony Ferlenda. “We have not asked hospitals to postpone any surgeries at this point. All in all, we’ve lost nearly two days’ worth of collections, further tightening already low blood supplies. We urge anyone who can to call us at 1-800-GIVE LIFE and schedule an appointment to give blood now.”

Ferlenda explained that the February storm has also strained the region’s supply of platelets, a product often needed by patients with cancer, leukemia and other serious illnesses. Anyone wishing to give platelets at the Wilkes-Barre or Scranton Donor Sites can call 1-800-432-8045, ext. 2161 or 2235.

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.

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 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.