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Luzerne County preparing for main free-and-clear tax auction in August

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Dollar General coming to West Side Mall in Edwardsville

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The American Red Cross is facing a critical shortage and has issued an emergency call for eligible blood and platelet donors of all blood types to give now and help save lives.</p><p>Alana J. Mauger, Red Cross external communications manager, said blood donations have fallen short of expectations for the past two months, resulting in about 61,000 fewer donations than needed and causing a significant draw-down of the Red Cross blood supply. She said the shortfall is the equivalent of the Red Cross not collecting any blood donations for more than four days.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,&#8221; Mauger said. &#8220;Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed as soon as possible.&#8221;</p><p>Locally, Mauger said the Red Cross has collected 1,200 fewer donations than what is needed to meet patient and hospital demand over the past two months.</p><p>&#8220;In the Penn-Jersey and NEPA Blood Services Regions, the Red Cross must collect approximately 1,000 units of blood every day to meet patient/hospital demand, so any deficit &#8212; like the 1,200 one over the past two months &#8212; is critical,&#8221; Mauger said.</p><p>Mauger said right now, donated blood is being distributed to hospitals faster than new donations are coming in.</p><p>To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).</p><p>The Red Cross has added more than 25,000 additional appointment slots at donation centers and community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to accommodate more donors. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.</p><p><strong>Summertime shortage</strong></p><p>Mauger said shortages often worsen around Independence Day due to fewer volunteer-hosted blood drives at places of work, worship or community gathering spaces, and this year is no exception. She said nearly 700 fewer drives are scheduled during Independence Day week than the weeks before and after the holiday.</p><p>Overall, Mauger said the summer months are among the most challenging times of year for blood and platelet donations, as regular donors delay giving while they vacation and participate in summer activities. In a recent survey of Red Cross blood donors, more than 73 percent indicated their vacation plans this summer may impact their ability to donate.</p><p><strong>How to help</strong></p><p>The Wilkes Barre Blood Donation Center, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Ashley, is open for donations Mondays, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m; Tuesdays, noon-6 p.m.; Fridays, 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, 7:30 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.</p><p>Here are some other upcoming donation opportunities:</p><p>&#8226; Dupont, July 11, 1 p.m.- 6 p.m., VFW Post 4909, 403 Main St.</p><p>&#8226; Mountain Top, July 11, noon-5 p.m., Wright Township Fire Hall, 477 S. Main Road</p><p>&#8226; West Hazleton, July 17, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd.</p><p>&#8226; Dallas, July 20, 1 p.m.- 6 p.m., Dallas American Legion, 730 Memorial Highway</p><p>&#8226; Plains Township, July 21, noon-5 p.m., Wyoming Valley Motors, 1470 Highway 315</p><p>&#8226; Edwardsville, July 21, noon-5 p.m., Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St.</p><p>&#8226; Hazle Township, July 24, 1:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Laurel Mall, 106 Laurel Mall Drive</p><p>&#8226; Wilkes Barre, July 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., F. M. Kirby Center, 71 Public Square</p><p>For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or go to @RedCross on Twitter.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Mauger </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_Alana-Mauger-Red-Cross.jpg</photo1><caption1>Mauger </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Red Cross seeking blood donations to help with shortage