Library to host blood drive amid national shortage

Due to a nationwide shortage of donations, the American Red Cross recently put a call out to eligible donors to help increase the nation’s blood supply. On January 8, the Red Cross announced that its blood supply has fallen to “critically low levels” throughout the U.S., and urged blood and platelet donors to make a donation appointment “to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold.”

To help increase our local, and national, blood supply, the Pike County Public Library will be holding a blood drive on Friday, February 2, in the Community Room (119 E. Harford Street, Milford), from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments can be made at redcrossblood.org by entering “PCPL” when scheduling an appointment, or by calling 1-800-733-2767.

“One of the most distressing situations for a doctor is to have a hospital full of patients and an empty blood bank without any blood on the shelves. Doctors often can’t operate without blood available to make surgeries, medical procedures and treatments possible,” said Dr. Eric Gehrie, executive physician director for the Red Cross. “More challenges lie ahead as the potential for severe winter weather and seasonal illness may compound the dire blood supply situation. Donors of all types — especially those with type O blood and those giving platelets — are urged to give now.”

In its blood shortage announcement, the Red Cross said it had seen a 40% drop in blood donations in the last 20 years, and had a nearly 7,000-unit shortfall between Christmas and New Year’s.

Those who give at the Pike County Public Library event will receive a $20 Amazon gift card via email. For more information, visit rcblood.org/heart.