- Mount Pocono Boro*
Red Cross: Urgent need for blood donations as hospital demand increases
WILKES-BARRE (MAY 27, 2020) — The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate in the weeks and months ahead by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Please note that appointments are required in order to observe social distancing. Thanks to Amazon, all those who come to give June 1-30 will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email (restrictions apply). Monroe County collection sites and details are below.
In recent weeks, hospital demand for blood products has grown by 30% after sharply declining in early April amid this rapidly changing and complex public health crisis. At the same time, blood drives continue to be canceled as many businesses and community organizations remain closed. Donors are needed to make and keep scheduled appointments to help meet the current need.
“Blood donors have played a vital role in the lives of patients who have needed lifesaving transfusions during this pandemic, and patients continue to depend on donors each and every day,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. “The Red Cross appreciates the support of those who rolled up a sleeve to give in recent months, but the need doesn’t stop. We need the public’s help to avoid another blood shortage this summer.”
Host a blood drive
With no known end date in this fight again coronavirus, the Red Cross urgently needs air-conditioned locations to host blood drives throughout the summer. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Become a blood donor screener
The Red Cross is also in need of volunteers to serve as blood donor screeners at blood drives throughout the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Region. These volunteers are responsible for greeting and thanking donors, taking donor temperatures and sanitizing blood drive registration and canteen areas. No special skills are required, and gloves, sanitizer, masks and training are provided. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross and to sign up, visit http://redcross.org/volunteertoday.
Blood drive safety precautions
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to ensure the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
About blood donation
All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
For details and to make an appointment online at these local blood drives, GO HERE.
Mount Airy Casino Resort
312 Woodland Road
Mount Pocono, PA 18344
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Kalahari Resort Convention Center
250 Kalahari Blvd.
Pocono Manor, PA 18349
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
08:00 AM - 06:00 PM
The Friendly Community Center
6683 Route 191
Cresco, PA 18326
Friday, May 29, 2020
02:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Jackson Township Fire Hall
2176 PA Route 715
Reeders, PA 18352
Thursday, September 3, 2020
01:00 PM - 06:00 PM
Pocono Raceway
1234 Long Pond Road
Long Pond, PA 18334
Thursday, July 9, 2020
01:00 PM - 07:00 PM
Pocono Farms Country Club
164 Lake Road
Tobyhanna, PA 18466
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
01:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Pocono Mountains Municipal Airport
171 Hangar Lane
Tobyhanna, PA 18466
Friday, June 12, 2020
11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
A Pocono Country Place E Club House
112 Recreation Drive
Tobyhanna, PA 18466
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
02:00 PM - 07:00 PM
East Stroudsburg VFW
20 Fawn Road
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Saturday, May 30, 2020
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
East Stroudsburg Elks Lodge
260 Washington St
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Monday, June 1, 2020
10:00 AM - 03:00 PM
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono
206 East Brown Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Thursday, July 2, 2020
12:00 PM - 05:00 PM
East Stroudsburg University
200 Prospect Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Monday, July 6, 2020
11:00 AM - 04:00 PM
East Stroudsburg United Methodist Church
83 South Courtland Street
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
01:00 PM - 06:00 PM
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