Red Cross Blood Donations Drop; Roll Up Your Sleeve and Give

Red Cross Blood Donations Drop; Roll Up Your Sleeve and Give

News Release: June 23, 2008
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 508-4378

Your Help is Needed Now, Urges the American Red Cross

BETHLEHEM, Pa., June 23, 2008 - Supplies of blood needed for accident victims and surgical patients are dropping and are nearing critical levels. The shortage of donors and donated blood poses a risk for area hospitals, patients and people who will be patients.

"We expect donations to drop a little every summer," said John Castagna, American Red Cross Blood Services communications director. "But this year we seem to be in a major downward trend that needs to be reversed."

Residents are urged to give blood at one of the following Red Cross blood drives in June and July in Carbon County:

Friday, June 27, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., at Lehighton Band Hall, 197 North Sixth Street, Lehighton;
Wednesday, July 2, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., at Nesquehoning Recreation Center, 353 West Railroad treet, Nesquehoning; refreshment sponsor Mauch Chunk Trust Company; and
Thursday, July 10, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., at Hampton Inn, 877 Interchange Road, Lehighton.

As a special thank you for taking the time to donate blood and helping to save lives, all presenting donors for the month of June 2008 will automatically be entered into the "King of the Grill" drawing to win a barbecue package which includes a gas grill, utensils, Red Cross apron, and a $100 Omaha Steaks gift certificate. In addition, all presenting donors in June and July at the Carbon County blood drives will automatically be entered to win a VIP package to one of two Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees baseball games, and weekly drawings for a $25 VISA Gift Card.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is healthy may give blood or platelets. With the submission of a signed parental consent form, 16-year-olds who weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health also can donate blood. Parental consent forms are available from nurse supervisors at Red Cross drives.

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 of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 690,000 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.