by peter e. bortner
Although blood supplies in Schuylkill County and the rest of Northeastern Pennsylvania are adequate, donations decline during the winter and people need to keep giving during this season, spokespeople for the American Red Cross said Friday.
"The gift of life is the greatest gift you can give," Janet E. Curtis, executive director of the American Red Cross in Schuylkill County, said.
Colin Riccobon, communications program manager for American Red Cross Blood Services of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Region, Ashley, said the regional blood situation is volatile.
"The blood supply is stable throughout the region," he said. "One day would affect the blood supply."
Curtis said donations tend to drop off during the Christmas holiday season.
"People are preoccupied," she said. "We all tend to be driven by our schedules."
Curtis said both bad weather and Christmas preparations help to account for the reduction in donations.
Riccobon also said blood donations fall off during this time of year, which is bad because the need for it does not show a similar decline.
"Donations typically decline. The need remains constant," he said.
Riccobon said each donation is vital.
"One donation may save up to three lives," according to Riccobon. "Blood products are perishable."
He is particularly concerned with the short shelf life of donated blood products. Donated red blood cells last only 42 days, while platelets last only five, Riccobon said.
While there are no donation centers in Schuylkill County, there are ones in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre that serve Northeastern Pennsylvania, he said.
"There are blood drives every day," Riccobon said. "Donor centers are open. The main thing is finding the time."