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Monday, September 6, 2010

July 30

Vampires help blood supply

Studies have shown more people donate when a drive is tied to a fun promotion.

By Sherry Long slong@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – Vampires are pesky creatures. All they want is your blood.

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Red Cross nurse technician Carol Fredericks helps the Rev. Nick Keeney of Kingston donate blood Thursday during blood drive at the Quality Inn on Kidder Street in Wilkes-Barre.

Don Carey/The Times Leader

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Blood drives

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Luzerne County Courthouse

8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Aug. 7, Naval Operations Center on Navy Way Road, Avoca

Noon-6 p.m. Aug. 9, Fellowship Evangelical Free Church, Hildebrant Road, Dallas

People over the age of 17, or 16 years old with a parent’s consent, can donate blood every 52 days at an American Red Cross facility.

Luzerne County Blood Donor Center: American Red Cross in Hanover Industrial Park, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Hanover Township.

Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Mondays, 9:30 a.m. -6:30 p.m. Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday–Sunday. Appointments are not needed but are recommended. An appointment can be scheduled by calling 1-800-733-2767, or by visiting www.redcrossblood.org.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Region of the American Red Cross urged people to starve the creatures of the night during a “Starve a Vampire. Donate Blood” event Thursday at Quality Inn on Kidder Street.

American Red Cross spokeswoman Shannon Ludwig said blood supply is always needed, but donations often take a hit during the summer.

“Summertime is generally difficult for us to get blood donors to come out. A lot of factors, including school is out of session, people go on vacations and even the heat keep people from donating, but the need for blood never goes away. It never takes a vacation,” Ludwig said.

The popularity of the “Twilight” movie series and television shows such as the CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” and HBO’s “True Blood” prompted the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Red Cross to sponsor a local vampire-themed event.

Ludwig said studies have shown more people donate when a drive is tied to a fun promotional event.

Aleena Harvey, 18, of Noxen Township, has been donating blood for the last two years. She said that when she first donated she was a little nervous because of the needles, but now she tries to donate as often as possible.

“It’s a good cause. What if my brother got sick or I my sisters got sick? So I am helping other people too. It is very exhilarating and a good feeling,” Harvey said.

Due to the success of last year’s vampire-starving campaign, the Red Cross teamed up with the local Fox 56 CW television affiliate again this year, Ludwig said

One donation, viable for up to 46 days, can help three people because red blood cells, platelets and plasma can be divided into separate products.

The Luzerne County event was one of three being held in the Northeastern Pennsylvania 25-county region district. Other blood drives were held at The Chateau Resort and Conference Center in Tannersville and The Mall at Steamtown in Scranton.

Sherry Long, a Times Leader staff writer, maybe reached at 829-7159.

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