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Palmyra holds off Valley West field hockey in Class 2A state semifinals

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Penn State moves up to No. 14, still alive for invitation to a New Year’s Six bowl

WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The American Red Cross said Tuesday that Northeastern Pennsylvania is facing a severe blood shortage and it has issued an immediate call for blood and platelet donations.The organization also said that blood drive hosts are needed this winter to stop a prolonged shortage.&#8220;This time of year, as many give thanks for family, friends and good health, it&#8217;s important to remember that patients across the country cannot survive without your generosity,&#8221; said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. &#8220;From traumas to ongoing cancer treatments, the need for blood doesn&#8217;t stop for the holidays. People can give back &#8212; and help those in need &#8212; by making a lifesaving blood or platelet donation now and hosting a blood drive in the weeks to come.&#8221;During September and October, the Red Cross collected more than 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). In addition to the lack of blood drives, hurricanes Michael and Florence caused thousands of blood and platelet donations to go uncollected and were key contributing factors to the current blood shortage.An additional 4,300 blood drives nationally &#8212; and approximately 65 in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region &#8212; are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.To encourage donations around the Thanksgiving holiday, those who come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross Nov. 21-24 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt while supplies last.How to helpEligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this winter by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.Here are some upcoming donation opportunities:Luzerne CountyAmerican Red Cross/Wilkes Barre Blood Donation Center , 29 New Commerce Blvd., AshleyMondays: 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.Tuesdays: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.Fridays: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.DallasNov. 15: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dallas American Legion Post, 730 Memorial HighwayDec. 13: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Dallas American Legion Post, 730 Memorial HighwayEdwardsvilleNov. 23: Noon to 5 p.m., Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St.FreelandDec. 5: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MMI Preparatory, 154 Centre St.Hazle TownshipNov. 23: 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Laurel Mall, 106 Laurel Mall DriveMountain TopDec. 12: 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., St. Paul&#8217;s Lutheran Church, 316 S. Mountain Blvd.SwoyersvilleDec. 13: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 116 Hughes St.West HazletonNov. 19: 8:30 a.m. to	12:30 p.m., Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd.Dec. 3: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd.Wilkes BarreNov. 15: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Wilkes University, 84 W. South St.WyomingNov. 16: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Wyoming United Methodist Church, 376 Wyoming Ave.<style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By Bill O&#8217;Boyleboboyle@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</shirttailMeta></div>

Red Cross issues immediate call for blood and platelet donations