STATE COLLEGE – It happens every winter. The meteorologist on the local television station forecasts a winter storm projected to drop two feet of snow in the area. People rush to the grocery store to stock up on necessities such as bread and milk before the storm hits. Though every two seconds, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion, there is seldom a sense of urgency to donate blood, unless there is a national or regional disaster. Just about every week the Greater Alleghenies Region, American Red Cross Blood Services, announces critically low blood supplies in one or more blood types, typically Type O negative, the universal blood type, or Type O positive, which can benefit 85% of patients in need. Yet there is no rush or panic to donate.
“You’ll never read or hear about most blood recipients or their stories in the news,” stated Mandy Vactor, blood services coordinator. “Every day, patients undergo surgery, treatment for cancer, or other chronic illnesses and conditions requiring blood transfusions. And when that need arises, a safe, sufficient blood supply must be readily available. It’s too late to recruit donors to give blood when the need arises.”
These feelings are reflected in the “Someone’s Waiting. Donate Blood” donor recruitment campaign currently underway in the American Red Cross Blood Services, Greater Alleghenies Region. Area residents are urged to donate blood at any of the drives listed below. And from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, those who present to donate blood at an area Red Cross blood drive will receive an embroidered fleece scarf in appreciation for taking time to donate blood.
“We appreciate those who come out in the cold and wintry weather to donate blood and help patients in need. When they bundle-up this year they’ll have a warm feeling knowing they’ve helped their neighbors by donating blood,” commented Vactor.
“Donation appointments may be scheduled at many Red Cross blood drives,” she commented. “To schedule your blood donation appointment where available, or to find a blood drive near you, visit www.redcrosslife.org or call 800-GIVE LIFE (800-448-3543).”
You must be 17 years of age or older; weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health to be eligible to donate blood. Those with specific eligibility questions should call 800-542-5663. Donors should bring their Red Cross donor card or other forms of positive identification to the donor site.
The Greater Alleghenies Region directly serves hospitals, patients and donors in a 100-county area in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, with more than five-dozen blood products and related services, and also supports blood needs experienced by patients elsewhere in hospitals served through Red Cross Blood Services.
PSU-The Pointe Apartments-501 Vairo Blvd., State College, Monday, February 12th, 1 pm-7 pm
PSU-Stuckeman Family Building **2RBC**-Tuesday, February 13th, 10 am-4 pm
PSU-Blue Band Building **2RBC**-Tuesday, February 13th, 10 am-4 pm
Boalsburg Fire Company-113 E. Pine St.-Tuesday, February 13th, 12:30 pm-6:30 pm
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center-135 S. Pugh St., State College, Tuesday and Wednesday, February 13th and 14th, 10 am-4 pm
PSU-Hintz Family Alumni Center **2RBC**-Wednesday, February 14th, 10 am-4 pm
PSU-Intramural Building Gym 2 **2RBC**-Wednesday, February 14th, 9:30 am-3:30 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church **2RBC**-128 W. Howard St., Bellefonte, Thursday,
February 15th, 12:30 pm-6:30 pm
PSU-HUB Heritage Hall **2RBC**-Thursday and Friday, February 15th and 16th, 10 am-4 pm
PSU-Penn Stater Conference Center-Meeting Room **2RBC**-Innovation Blvd., Friday, February 16th, 10 am-4 pm
PSU-Intramural Building Gym 3-Saturday, February 17th, 12 pm-5 pm and Sunday, February 18th, 10 am-2 pm
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center-135 S. Pugh St., State College, Tuesday,
February 20th, 10 am-4 pm
Snow Shoe Ambulance Building **2RBC**-492 W. Sycamore Rd., Tuesday, February 20th,
12:30 pm-6:30 pm
Super 8 Hotel-1663 S. Atherton St., State College, Thursday, February 22nd, 12 pm-6 pm
Old Fort American Legion **2RBC**-2829 Penns Valley Pike (Route 45), Centre Hall, Thursday, February 22nd, 1 pm-7 pm
Milesburg American Legion-Route 144 North, Saturday, February 24th, 9 am-1 pm
New Hope Lutheran Church-119 Cobblestone Ct. (Rt. 45), Spring Mills, Monday, February 26th,
1 pm-7 pm
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center-135 S. Pugh St., State College, Tuesday, February 27th, 10 am-4 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church **2RBC**-121 S. Front St., Philipsburg, Tuesday, February 27th, 1 pm-7 pm
Warriors Mark United Methodist Church-1840 Centre Line Rd., Tuesday, February 27th, 1 pm-7 pm
Christ the King Parish Center **2RBC**-123 Good St., Houtzdale, Wednesday, February 28th,
1pm-7 pm