Urgent Call for Blood Donors

After Irene, Red Cross urges immediate blood and platelet donations

The local Red Cross said there’s an urgent need for eligible platelet donors.

“The American Red Cross has already had to cancel more than 60 blood drives along the East Coast due to Hurricane Irene,” said Anthony Tornetta, Regional Communications Manager, Penn-Jersey Blood Services. ”In addition, hundreds of area blood and platelet donors have been unable to make their scheduled donation appointments because of storm-related issues.”

The organization said there is a shortfall of nearly 1,500 units of blood. Platelets are commonly used for patients undergoing cancer treatment, trauma victims and other hospital patients. Since platelets have a shelf-life of just five days, the cancellation of blood drives has created a critical need for new donors.

Nationwide, 44,000 blood donations are needed every day to meet the needs of accident victims, cancer patients, and children with blood disorders, according to the Red Cross.

To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call 1-800-RED CROSS. Eligible platelet donors should call 1-215-451-4153.

Click here for more information about donation center locations near you, or follow the Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region on Twitter.

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