I. Overview 

 Every 10 seconds, someone needs blood. Surgery patients will use the red blood cells. Cancer patients or bone marrow transplant recipients need your platelets. Plasma can be transformed into a variety of products to combat shock or fight infection. You are guaranteed to be somebody’s type. The most needed blood type is “O”. “O” negative can be given to any patient in case of an emergency. And more people are “O” positive than any other type – 34 out of every 100 people. But all types are important.

   Giving blood is safe and easy. Giving a unit of blood takes about an hour. Most of that time is for registration, temperature recording, hemoglobin testing, and a health history check; the actual donation takes only about 6-8 minutes. Anyone who is at least 17 years of age, weighs at least 105 pounds, and is in good general health can donate blood.

   The Hazleton Chapter of the American Red Cross coordinates 108 blood drives a year, and tries to collect 3,400 units of blood for patients in 39 Northeastern Pennsylvania hospitals.

   Always remember – together, we can and do save lives.
 

II. Upcoming Bloodmobile Schedule

   Please note the date, place, and time of the upcoming blood drives in the Greater Hazleton area:

     date                                 place                                       time     
 

     August 12 (Thursday)         Nuremberg/Weston Fire             
                                                 Hall                                       1-6 PM

     August 19 (Thursday)         Our Lady of Lourdes Church,
                                                 Weatherly                               1-6 PM

     August 24 (Tuesday)           St. Michael's Byzantine
                                                  Catholic Church, McAdoo         1-6 PM

     September 1 (Wednesday)    American Legion Post #473,
                                                   Freeland                                1-6 PM
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
               
and REMEMBER: You can also give blood on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at the American Red Cross, 165 Susquehanna Blvd., West Hazleton - from 9 AM to noon.   

     Call the American Red Cross at 455-9517 for more information.