Miller-Keystone Blood Center has issued an appeal for donors of all blood types and platelets.
Deb Otto, Director of Donor Resources, confirmed that the Center’s inventory of red blood cells has reached critical levels.
“The ideal blood inventory on our shelves should be a three-day supply, or approximately 1500 units,” she explained. “At this time, we are only at about 500 units.”
“More than 450 donors are needed every day in our community, to help in the care of premature infants, accident victims, cancer patients and others in need of life-saving transfusions at our regional hospitals,” she added. “While we’ve had a decrease in the number of people donating, the demand at our hospitals remains steady. I would just
like to remind people that blood cannot be manufactured, it can only come from the kind generosity of volunteer blood donors. If there was ever a time to donate, now is that time.”
“We started seeing a decrease in the number of donations around the holidays but that level has remained low. I believe the cold weather and flu are keeping people away from donating.” Otto continued, “As a community we must come together and ensure that our friends, neighbors, and relatives have the lifesaving blood products they need. We need all willing and able bodied people to donate today. It is really that desperate of a situation right now.”
It can take up to 50 units of blood to help someone in a car accident, and up to 8 units to help someone with internal bleeding. It can also take up to 8 units a week to help someone battling leukemia.
Donors can find a blood drive on GIVEaPINT.org or visit one of our fixed site or satellite locations.
? Bethlehem donor center: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;
? Allentown and Reading donor centers: Monday – Thursday: 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;
? Easton donor center: Monday and Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday: noon – 7 p.m., Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;
? Lionville donor center: Wednesday – Thursday: noon – 7 p.m., Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.; every second and third Saturday: 6:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.;
? Brodheadsville satellite: Wednesday: noon – 6 p.m.;
? Hazleton satellite: 1st Friday 7 a.m. – noon, 4th Friday 1:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.;
? Quakertown satellite: every first and third Monday: 3 – 7 p.m. and
? Wind Gap satellite: Tuesday (bi-weekly) and Thursday (weekly): 3 – 7 p.m.
In order to donate, individuals must be 17 years of age or older, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be feeling healthy; they must not have donated in the past eight weeks. All donors must also provide valid identification; ID must have the donor’s name printed on it, as well as a photo and/or signature.
For more information, call 1-800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667) or visit the MKBC website at GIVEaPINT.org.
