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RED CROSS MAKES PLEA FOR COMMUNITY TO HELP PREPARE
FOR POTENTIAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE BY DONATING BLOOD
 
Date:February 16, 2003
Contact:Candie Hayes - Director of Communications & Development - 609.951.2116
Erik Ahlgren, Communications Associate 609.951.2117

PHILADLEPHIA, February 16, 2003 --- The American Red Cross Blood Services, Penn-Jersey Region is making a plea for the community to return the blood supply to safe levels this week by donating blood to ensure the availability of an adequate blood supply in uncertain times. 

“We are not well prepared.  Today we have less than a 12-hour supply of some blood types here in our blood center. The minimum safe level is a 48-hour supply.  The optimal level is a five-day supply or better,” said Brigid O’Neill-LaGier, Chief Executive Officer of the Penn-Jersey Red Cross Region, which serves more than 100 New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania hospitals. 

The Red Cross is concerned about maintaining a supply that is adequate to support the routine and critical patient care that occurs daily in the region’s hospitals.  Cold, snowy weather continues to keep turnout at blood drives low.  A further decrease in the supply could jeopardize patient care.  The Red Cross also has an obligation to stay ready at all times to support a large-scale medical emergency response. 

“We know we can count on our community once an emergency occurs, but it is the blood that is already donated, tested and ready for use that will support our initial medical response to a disaster,” said O’Neill-LaGier.

By becoming a regular blood donor, you can help your community and the nation prepare for uncertainties.  To find a blood drive or donor center near where you work or live, call the American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Region at 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.pleasegiveblood.org

In response to the public’s need for practical, common-sense disaster education information, the Red Cross is offering a wide range of useful materials via its national website, www.redcross.org.  The Red Cross has also re-launched its national preparedness information hotline 1-866-GET INFO to provide callers with disaster safety and preparedness information.

 

Together, we can save a life

 

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