BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Miller-Keystone Blood Center is urging residents to roll up their sleeves and help replenish a dwindling blood supply.
The community blood center, which serves hospitals throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, said several days of severe winter weather significantly disrupted blood collections at a time when donations already are seasonally low.
“Accidents and illnesses do not take a break."Monika Wiegers, director of donor services for Miller-Keystone Blood Center
“Unfortunately, the recent snowstorms forced us to cancel several community blood drives and modify operating hours at our donor center locations,” Monika Wiegers, director of donor services for Miller-Keystone Blood Center, said in a news release.
“Declines in blood donations are common this time of year.”
Winter months are historically challenging for blood centers, Wiegers said, as holidays, travel, illness and bad weather keep many donors away — even though the need for blood never slows.
“Accidents and illnesses do not take a break,” she said.
One donation can make critical difference
Miller-Keystone Blood Center said it requires about 350 blood donations every day to meet the needs of regional hospitals, which rely on a steady supply to treat cancer patients, premature infants, trauma victims and others requiring transfusions.
“Donating blood is safe and easy, and in just one hour, you can help save as many as three lives."Monika Wiegers, director of donor services for Miller-Keystone Blood Center
In response, the organization is asking all eligible donors to make an appointment in the coming days at one of its donor centers in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Hamilton, Pittston and Reading, Pennsylvania or Ewing, New Jersey.
“Donating blood is safe and easy, and in just one hour, you can help save as many as three lives,” Wiegers said. “Those lives could belong to a family member, neighbor or friend.”
To encourage participation, Miller-Keystone Blood Center also has launched its annual “Bring a Friend” campaign.
Running from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, the initiative invites current donors to bring along a first-time donor. After both successfully donate, each will get a $25 electronic gift card.
Appointments can be scheduled online at GIVEaPINT.org, through the MKBC Donor App, by scanning a QR code at participating locations, or by calling 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667), extension 2.
Officials say even one donation can make a critical difference as the community recovers from the storm-related disruptions and works to stabilize the local blood supply.
