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DICKSON CITY – Blood supplies are the lowest in the summertime, according to the Red Cross. Whether it is vacation or the myriad other summer activities, people are generally less inclined to donate blood during the summer and the Red Cross said it is working to counteract this deficiency. Its most recent attempt will the “High School Reunion” blood drive hosted at the Viewmont Mall, July 31, specifically targeting first-time high school donors to give blood a second time.
“The Red Cross tries to accumulate 400 pints of blood each day,” said Linda Gavin of the Red Cross. “Not just the Scranton Chapter, the whole Northeast Region.” The Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Region conducts about 10 blood drives per day and sends about five shipments each week.
Local high schools such as Abington Heights and Lakeland were able to gather a large amount of blood. The main problem is that high school students are often one-time donors and stop giving blood once they leave high school. The Reunion blood drive is hoping to get them to continue to give blood throughout their lives. To do this, the Red Cross picked a location central to many local high school students to ease them into a more regular blood donation routine.
The Red Cross hopes to draw 70 donors to this event to obtain 70 pints of blood. The donated blood will close the gap between the current supply and what is considered to be adequate.
The High School Reunion Blood Drive will be held on Thursday, July 31 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Viewmont Mall’s Center Court. “[Blood supplies are] very low, we need every donor to come out,” Linda Gavin said. “All blood types are needed.”
Donors must be 17 years old or older, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors can be 16 years old, but they must complete a parental consent form, which is available at the drive. Many medications do not disqualify a donor from giving blood. The Red Cross strongly suggests that would-be donors call in advance to make an appointment for maximum convenience. For questions or an appointment, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.