Blood donations needed in the North Allegheny area

It can’t be withdrawn from an ATM or streamed online. And there’s nowhere on Amazon Prime to place an order.

Getting blood is entirely dependent on people. And this is the best time of year to give the gift of blood, said Kristen Lane, communications manager for Northeast Division of Vitalant.

“I personally can’t think of a better way to give back than to donate blood because you’re actually saving a life,” Lane said.

The winter holiday season and summer are the two times of year that Vitalant sees the fewest donations. The last two weeks of December constitutes the lowest annual donation period, according to Lane.

Any blood, but especially Type O blood and platelets, are most urgently needed. Type O can be used for most of the population. Platelets, which are critical to help stop bleeding, must be used within a week of donation, according to Lane. Type O is used for newborns who haven’t had the time to get their blood type tested, she said.

“Give the gift that they can’t give back,” Lane said.

She said Vitalant is urging eligible blood donors to take advantage of several December blood drives so there will be blood on hand when it’s needed. Vitalant donors from now until Dec. 25 can receive a $10 gift card and be entered in a $5,000 giveaway, according to Lane.

Not only is blood needed during natural disasters or for accident victims, but there are everyday disasters, too. People, including young children, being treated for cancer or other illness have a constant need for blood, plasma and platelet transfusions, Lane said.

Vitalant is the contracted provider to UPMC and the Allegheny Health Network in the Pittsburgh region, which is approximately 50 hospitals, Lane said.

Vitalant needs about 600 units of blood every day to adequately supply these hospitals, but right now it gets a little more than 200, she said. Since Vitalant is part of a larger network, blood is shipped in from other cities when needed.

It takes two days to process blood, which has to be screened for blood-borne pathogens or viruses, and then shipped to a hospital.

Eligible donors can visit the Vitalant North Hills located in the McKnight North Professional Center on McKnight Road, which is open everyday to donors, whether for blood and power red donations, plasma donation, or platelet donation.

Power red is an automated procedure that collects red cells only and returns the platelets and plasma to the donor.

Donors can also provide whole blood donations, which contains red blood cells, platelets and plasma. One whole blood donation can help up to three people, Lane said.

Judy Lewis, of Elizabeth, held two blood drives through Vitalant for her daughter-in-law, Rachel Lewis, of McCandless. Rachel was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 29. Over the next eight years, she had to receive numerous blood and transfusions every week for several months.

“We stopped counting,” Lewis said.

She said Rachel is in remission and doing very well. She is a teacher at Peebles Elementary of the North Allegheny School District, married to Michael and is a mom to Nora, 4.

Lewis said the family organized the blood drives as a thanks for all the blood Rachel received during her illness.

“We can’t thank the blood bank enough. Without the blood and platelet transfusions, she wouldn’t be alive.”

Lane said the blood donation process takes only 10 minutes. Donors should reserve about an hour as they have to undergo a short health check, and they’re asked to stay about 15 after the donation mare sure they’re feeling OK. Cookies and juice are provided.

Vitalant can also organize a platelet party, where a host can invite six friends to donate platelets. They can bring nonalcoholic refreshments and snacks. Vitalant will provide the music and decorations.

“Everyone gets together and has a good time,” Lane said.

Blood donation is completely safe, thanks to many guidelines that Vitalant must adhere to, Lane said. There is no wait period for people who received a FDA-authorized, covid vaccine or seasonal flu shot.

Donors must be at least 16, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health, according to the Vitalant website.

Other popular donation banks include The American Red Cross Southwestern Chapter. Visit www.redcross.org for a list of blood donation events.

Visit www.vitalant.org for blood, platelet or plasma donation opportunities. Or call 877-258-4825.

Vitalant is offering a special thanks to donors: a $10 gift card by email, plus all donors through Dec. 25 will be entered to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.