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Red Cross expects decline in blood and platelet donations

ASHLEY – The Red Cross typically sees a decline in donations during the winter holiday season. Individuals can help the Red Cross and hospital patients this month while discovering the true meaning of the season by giving a generous gift of a blood or platelet donation.

Each donation made can help save up to three lives.

“Hospital patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood and platelets,” said Colin Riccobon, communications program manager, for northeast Pennsylvania. “The closer we get to the major holiday week, the more we see donations decline. People are busy with gift shopping, holiday parties and there is an overall sense of distraction. We need donors to come in and give before they get too busy with other things.”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. On average, the Red Cross must collect 15,000 pints of blood every day to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.

As a special thank you, all those who donate blood from today, through Jan. 3 will receive a commemorative long-sleeve American Red Cross T-shirt courtesy of the Red?Cross.

Blood donors are encouraged to invite a loved one to follow in their footsteps and donate blood this holiday season.

Visit rcblood.org/HolidayPostcard to upload a picture of your Red Cross blood donation and send a postcard to a loved one.

For more information or to make an appointment to give blood or platelets, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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