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WILKES-BARRE &#8212; The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelet donors to give now to prevent a blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and affecting patient care.The Red Cross said it collected more than 27,000 fewer blood and platelet donations the weeks of Christmas and New Year&#8217;s than needed to sustain a sufficient blood supply. During this period, about 1,350 fewer blood drives were hosted by volunteer sponsor groups than required to meet patient needs as busy holiday schedules kept many donors away, a press release says.&#8220;Many people may not realize that blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors,&#8221; said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. &#8220;When donations decline &#8212; as they did around the holidays and may further decline if severe winter weather and flu season pick up &#8212; lifesaving medical treatments could be delayed.&#8221;All eligible donors, especially platelet donors and donors with type O blood, are urged to make an appointment to give in the coming days to help restock the shelves for hospital patients.Eligible 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). Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.Here are some upcoming blood donation opportunities:Wilkes-Barre Blood Donation Center29 New Commerce Blvd., AshleyMondays: 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Tuesdays: Noon to 8 p.m.Fridays: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.DallasJan. 31: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Frontier Communications, 100 CTE DriveFeb. 1: 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Gate of Heaven, 10 Machell Ave.EdwardsvilleJan. 25: Noon to 5 p.m., Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 Northampton St.FreelandFeb. 8: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., MMI Preparatory, 154 Centre St.HazletonJan. 31: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lackawanna College of Hazleton, 2 E. Broad St.LehmanJan. 31: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Penn State University, Wilkes-Barre Campus, 1269 Old Route 115Mountain TopJan. 25: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Presbyterian Church of Mountain Top, 9 Chestnut St.NanticokeFeb. 5: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Luzerne County Community College, 1333 S. Prospect St.West HazletonFeb. 4: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., American Red Cross, Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd.Wilkes-BarreJan. 31: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., King&#8217;s College, Campus Center, 133 N. River St.Feb. 6: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River St.Feb. 8: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 226 S. Washington St.Feb. 14: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wilkes University, 84 W. South St.<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 emergency call for blood donors