#1 Resolution for 2009: Give Blood
News Release: January 5, 2009
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771

American Red Cross, Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region is kicking off a January campaign to stem the typically dramatic winter drop-off in blood donations. As part of National Blood Donor Month, an observance aimed at educating the public about the constant need for blood donation, the region is marking Blood Donor Days at special blood drives January 7-10.

In Carbon County, Blood Donor Day is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Hampton Inn, 877 Interchange Road in Lehighton. The donation goal is 28 units of blood.

Promotions for the regional effort are under way on WBRE and WYOU television. The American Red Cross asks that all local media assist in the effort to draw a continuing flow of blood drive sponsors and repeat donors.

“This past holiday season,” said Tony Ferlenda, NEPA Blood Services Region CEO, “has largely been about old and dear traditions. Unfortunately, one tradition that helps no one is the seasonal drop-off in blood donation following the holidays. We’re asking blood donors and potential blood drive sponsors to step up, and start a new tradition for the new year. Let’s help hospitals answer the constant need for blood with constant effort and constant, dependable blood donations.”

The American Red Cross points out that in the best of times, fewer than five percent of eligible donors actually donate blood every year. Few donate twice. People can give blood every 56 days. “We hope that with the help of the public and regional media,” Ferlenda said, “we might persuade more people to donate, more to become repeat donors, and more sponsors to help in the recruiting.”

The NEPA Blood Region is home to nearly four million people. In fiscal year 2008, a little less than 90,000 units of blood were collected and made available to hospitals. “Clearly,” Ferlenda said, “we can do better.”

To make an appointment to donate blood, call locally, 1-800-GiveLife, go to www.nepagivelife.org and click on Donate Blood, or call the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley at (610) 377-2100.

In January, all presenting donors will be eligible for drawings for weekly $250 Warm Your Heart and Home gift cards and for a raffle to win a 42” flat panel plasma TV.

Anyone 17 years or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health may be eligible to donate blood. Sixteen-year-olds may donate blood provided they bring an original Signed Informed Parental Consent for 16-Year-Old to Donate Whole Blood to the blood drive.

The consent form can be found at www.DonateBloodNow.org/16. Identification is required at the time of donation to give blood.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves nearly 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 24,000 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.