Community Corner

We Need Your Blood, Red Cross Says

A drop in June donations has left the Red Cross with 50,000 fewer donors than expected.

After a drop in donations during June and the first part of July, the American Red Cross is low on blood.

That's why the organization is calling for donors in eastern Pennsylvania to come forward and give blood and platelets. 

"Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood," Brigid O'Neill LaGeir, CEO for the Red Cross' Penn-Jersey Blood Services region, said in a news release. 

Donations were down 10 percent in June, mirroring a similar drop this time last year. The Red Cross says June is typically a tough month for blood donations, as blood banks need to adjust to a new schedule. During the school year, high school and college blood drives can account for 20 percent of Red Cross blood donations.

In addition, the mid-week Fourth of July holiday cut down on the number of workplace blood drives.

So now, the Red Cross needs donors from its Penn-Jersey region to come forward. Eligible donors with types O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged. 

There is also an urgent need for platelet donations. Platelets are a key clotting agent for cancer patients, and must be transfused within five days of donation.

To donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.

You can also find a list of local blood drives here, and make an appointment. 


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