Red Cross Launches 'Giving is Living' Blood Campaign This Month

Red Cross Launches 'Giving is Living' Blood Campaign This Month

News Release: January 3, 2008
Contact: Shawn James, Interim Communications Manager, American Red Cross Blood Services, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region, 1-800-432-8045, ext. 2407

Special Blood Drive Slated for Jan. 11 at Split Rock Resort in Carbon County

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. (Jan. 3, 2008) - The American Red Cross, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region will hold a series of special blood drives this month to highlight its "Giving is Living" campaign.

The campaign, supported by more than 25 sponsors in northeastern Pennsylvania, highlights the fact that when you give one donation you can help to save someone's life. In fact, one donation can help save the lives of up to three people.

"This winter, the number of people giving blood has dropped," said Tony Ferlenda, chief executive officer, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region, "but the number of patients needing blood has not. The need for blood is constant. More than 25 sponsors are helping in this effort, and we urge anyone who can to come to the 'Giving is Living' blood drives."

Carbon County residents are encouraged to donate blood at Split Rock Resort, Lake Drive, Lake Harmony, on Friday, Jan. 11, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All presenting donors will receive a free collectible T-shirt, and be eligible to win the grand prize of having one month's heating bill paid (up to $500). As an additional thank you, all presenting donors will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card from Office Max of Wilkes-Barre.

The American Red Cross would like to thank the following sponsors for their help with the "Giving is Living" blood drives: WBRE; the Times Leader; the Weekender; Pocono Media; Rotary International; JR 93.7; 97 BHT; Magic 93; Warm 590 AM; WBSX-97.9 X; Domino's Pizza; The Radisson; Best Western Genetti Motor Lodge in Hazleton; the Waterfront; Fairlane Village Mall; Sherman Theatre; Split Rock Resort & Galleria; Lock Haven Moose; Wesley United Methodist Church; WPPA 1360 AM; T 102 FM; Wilkes-Barre Office Max; Lock Haven Express; the Pocono Record; Nassau Broadcasting; Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Schuylkill Haven; and the Standard-Speaker.

Other drives being held during the "Giving is Living" campaign include:

Jan. 9:

Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton; from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The Waterfront, North River Street, Plains, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Best Western Genetti Lodge, Route 309, Hazleton, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Fairlane Village Mall, Route 61, Pottsville, from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Jan. 10:

Sherman Theatre, 524 Main Street, Stroudsburg, from noon to 6 p.m.
Nescopeck Volunteer Fire Company, 325 Warren Street, Nescopeck, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Lock Haven Moose Lodge, Clinton Avenue, Lock Haven, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wesley United Methodist Church, 130 West Third Street, Bloomsburg, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Anyone who is at least 17 years old, who weighs at least 110 pounds, and is healthy may give blood. If you have given blood before, it must be at least 56 days since your last blood donation. For more information, or to schedule your donation time, call the Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.nepagivelife.org.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 680,000 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.