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There’s no substitute for human blood, no alternative to giving a pint to save others.
If you responded to the urgent call for blood donations earlier this summer – thank you! The not-so-good news? Supplies remain low.
Summer is typically a harder season to keep blood supplies up because donations tend to drop off for several reasons, including vacations.
Blood donation breakdown
Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC) supplies life-saving blood to 29 hospitals in our region, including Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN). Every day, 450 units (pints) of blood are needed in the Miller-Keystone service area. In one month, that would mean donations from over 13,000 people, about 3,000 more than the capacity of IronPigs Coca-Cola Park stadium in Allentown.
Blood donated through MKBC stays here in our region. The blood you donate could save the life of someone in your community.
Right now, Miller-Keystone says O- and O+ are the most critically needed blood types, although all types are always needed.
Up to four components can come from donated blood – red blood cells, plasma, platelets and whole blood cells – and all help save lives. About 40 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only about five percent do so regularly. You can donate blood up to six times a year (every 56 days). You must be at least 16 and weigh at least 110 pounds. If you’re under 18, you’ll need written consent from your parent or guardian.
Giving blood is also quick. The whole process, including the actual donation, takes about 45 minutes.
Details on signing up
No matter what you blood type, be the type that gives to help others. Visit the Miller-Keystone website at giveapint.org to schedule your donation or call 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667). About 50 blood drives are scheduled throughout the region through August. Pick the one that best fits your location and schedule.
Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) is supporting two upcoming mobile blood drive events:
- July 28: from 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. at HNL Lab Medicine, 794 Roble Rd., Allentown, PA 18109
- Aug. 10: from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg, 2545 Schoenersville Rd., Bethlehem, PA 18017