Click here to subscribe today or Login.
WILKES-BARRE — The need is constant, the demand is high and the supply is “dangerously low,” according to Mike Quint, director of the Geisinger Blood Center in Pittston.
“Right now, blood and platelet donations are being distributed to hospitals as quickly as donations come in,” said Beth Toll, external communications manager for the American Red Cross.
Geisinger Blood Center and the Red Cross are urging blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage by making an appointment to roll up a sleeve this summer. Blood donations are currently lower than what is needed to maintain a sufficient blood supply.
Donors of all blood types, especially those with type O negative, B negative and A negative are asked to schedule an appointment.
“Blood transfusions help to save lives,” Quint said. “Blood is perishable and cannot be created in a lab. It’s up to all of us to donate blood.”
Quint said to keep pace with the local need for blood, Geisinger Blood Center must see more than 2,000 donors each month. He said a major goal of the blood center is to keep blood local and fully meet the blood product needs of Geisinger Health System hospitals that serve more than 2.6 million residents throughout 44 counties in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
“While blood donations are traditionally lowest in June, July and August, the need for blood increases during these months,” Quint said. “You never know when blood will be needed and that’s why having a ready blood supply is so vital to our community.”
“Hospital patients don’t get a summer holiday from needing blood and platelets,” Toll said. “The need is constant.”
Toll said vacation plans and summer activities often cause donors to be less available. She said many schools where blood drives are held are out of session during the summer months, making it especially difficult to collect enough blood to meet the needs of hospital patients.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Toll said approximately 200 donations are needed each day from area blood donors. She said blood and platelet donors can feel confident that by donating blood through the Red Cross they are helping to ensure blood products are available for patients in 20 hospitals throughout the NEPA region.
Quint said the increase in demand far outpaces the increase in blood donations in the NEPA community. He said Geisinger needs 2,000 donors each month during the summer just to keep pace with demands of patients.
Kathy Coslett, Director of Community Affairs at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, said a blood drive is being held Wednesday with Geisinger Blood Center, Communications Test Design, Inc. (CTDI), Comcast Business, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services and Mericle’s community of CenterPoint’s 38 tenants/4,500 employees. The second annual blood drive begins at 10 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. at 149 CenterPoint Blvd., Pittston Township.
“Now is a great time for a blood drive,” added Quint. “The summer season is the most challenging time for us to collect blood. Summer brings an increase in demand for blood to treat trauma patients, but a decrease in the availability of donors.”