UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The American Red Cross has pledged to donate $4 to THON for each blood donor during upcoming THON blood drives at Penn State.
The Red Cross has issued a weather-related urgent appeal. Severe winter weather across much of the country throughout January and early February forced the cancellation of about 770 Red Cross blood drives, resulting in more than 25,000 uncollected blood donations. Penn State blood drives alone have lost more than 150 donations. On average, the Red Cross must collect about 15,000 units of blood every day for patients at approximately 2,700 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. The number of cancellations in January alone was the equivalent of the Red Cross having to shut down its national operations for more than an entire day. Donors of all blood types are currently needed, especially O negative, O positive, B negative and A negative.
The American Red Cross and Penn State have been partnered for more than 50 years to help sustain regional blood inventories. In December, THON launched a series of blood drives to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund. The Red Cross will donate $4 for each presenting donor to THON, which will be credited to any student organization of the donor's choice. THON drives will continue until Feb. 22, THON weekend.
Appointments are strongly recommended, but walk-ins are accepted if possible. Visit www.psuredcross.org to view a schedule of THON blood drives and to make an appointment. Visit www.volunteer.psu.edu/redcross to sign up to volunteer. Visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 866-236-3276 to check eligibility requirements for donating blood.
Upcoming THON Drives:10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 7 - HUB-Robeson Center, Heritage Hall 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 10 - Pasquerilla Spiritual Center 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 10 - Pollock Commons 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 11 - Hintz Alumni Center 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 11 - Pollock Lobby10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 - HUB-Robeson Center, Alumni Hall 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 13 - Outreach Building, Innovation Park