‘People Want To Do the Right Thing’ March is Red Cross Month

By Danielle Merrow for Hometown magazine

Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Read that again, please. In the time it took you to read those two sentences, several Americans have been in need of a blood transfusion. And only about 3 percent of eligible Americans actually donate (redcross.org).

Karen Sistek, Account Manager in Donor Recruitment for Jefferson, Clarion, Clearfield, and Indiana counties, says in her seven years of working in her position, she has been fortunate to get to know the regular donors in her territories – many of whom began donating during wartimes of Vietnam, Korea, and Iraq as a way to assist in efforts overseas.

Many donors are also veterans. However, many of those donors are aging out of being able to donate, or are on medications that prevent them from being eligible.

“We are always looking to encourage everyone of all ages to donate,” says Sistek. “Those in their mid-to-late 20s and 30s are in the busy season of their lives and sometimes don’t have the time to donate, but it only takes an hour and does so much good.”

She goes on to explain: “This is why we try to get new donors started as soon as they are eligible, and we bring the drives to them –to high schools and universities.”

Sistek likens her job to that of a party planner – getting the venues, times, sponsors, volunteers and supplies coordinated before she steps back and lets the magic happen.

March is Red Cross month – the month the organization pushes for donations in order to supply blood banks through the slow donation months of the summer. This is the time the Red Cross pushes to initiate new donors by setting up drives at schools, colleges, and places where young people gather, in hopes of avoiding a shortage during the summer months when people have busier schedules and less time to donate – and also when blood is in higher demand.

In January 2022, the United States experienced its first-ever blood crisis. Thanks to national coverage, the blood supply was restored by spring, but consistent donorship is vital to keeping blood banks stocked.

Sistek says, “Last year, people responded well to the coverage of the shortage. People showed up – there was no shortage in the summer, and we had a steady stream of donors. You can donate every 56 days, and that’s what helps keep the blood on the shelves when it’s needed.”

A single car accident victim can require up to 100 units of blood.

She says winter is hard on the blood supply: “Blood drives get canceled due to weather. There are more car accidents, more people are sick.” And demand is greater than supply.

Type O negative is the universal blood type. The importance of O negative donations cannot be overstated. Type O positive is also super important to donate. All blood gets used.

“During Covid, people were donating a lot more; there was nowhere else to go, so many people donated as often as they could (every 56 days),” she says. “There was a fear of there not being enough blood. And people came out last spring. People don’t donate as frequently in the summer.”

She continues: “There can be a multitude of reasons for a shortage, but we rebounded. And I believe this is because people are

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More Facts About Blood Donation

n Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood.

n 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.

n About 45% of people in the U.S. have Group O (positive or negative) blood; the proportion is higher among Hispanics (57%) and African Americans (51%).

n Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.

n Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.

n Red blood cells must be used within 42 days (or less).

n Platelets must be used within just 5 days.

Source: www.redcrossblood.org

‘People Want To’

Continued from previous page good. I have to believe people are good.”

“Our donors really step up,” Sistek emphasizes.

Outside of blood donations, platelets are also always in demand, but the process for that is more involved and must be done at a specialized location, rather than a mobile blood drive.

“Blood drives are so convenient – more mobile,” says Sistek. “I feel really, really fortunate that people stepped up. It was remarkable. We used car dealerships, gymnasiums, stores [during Covid].”

“The need is constant and I really feel people want to do the right thing,” she continues. “We can plan a blood drive any day, at any time in Indiana county and people will show up. People are just good.”

In Punxsutawney, there are two annual memorial blood drives held at the VFW: one in memory of Kevin Young is held in November at the Mahoning Valley VFW Post 2076 on Maple Avenue, Punxsutawney. The other memorial blood drive is for Joe Rougeux, held in July, at the same location. Both of these drives are expected to continue to be annual events, according to Sistek. For more information on blood supply and blood donation, and how to schedule your donation for the next blood drive near you, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/donateblood/how-to-donate/how-blood-donationshelp/blood-needs-blood-supply.html.

Blood Donation Schedule

n DuBois Mall: Wed, March 1, 1:30- 6 p.m.

n RSMO Am Red Cross Clarion: Mon., March 6, Wyndham - Ballroom, 12:30-6 p.m.

n Punxsutawney Community: Thur., March 9, Cobblestone Hotel and Suites - Conference Room, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

n Brookville Community: Fri., March 10, Evangelical United Methodist Church, 12-6 p.m.

n Clarion Mall: Tue., March 14, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

n Sykesville Community: Sponsored by Sykesville Civic Improvement Association, Tue, March 14, Town Hall - Social Hall, 12-5:30 p.m.

n Reynoldsville Community: Wed., March 15, American Legion - Social Hall, 12:30-6 p.m.

n DuBois Community: Tue., March 21, DuBois YMCA - Gym, 12:30-6 p.m.

n Curwensville Area High School: Mon, March 27, Curwensville Area High School - Gym, TBA n Clarion University: Wed., March 29, Gemmell Student Center - Multi Purpose Room, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. n Redbank Valley High School Scholarship n RSMO Am Red Cross Clarion: Mon., April 3, Wyndham - Ballroom, 12:30-6 p.m. n DuBois Community Good Friday Blood Drive: Fri., April 7, Christian and Missionary Alliance Church - Gym,11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. n DuBois Community: Mon., April 10, Parkside Community Center, 1:30-6 p.m. n Curwensville Community: Mon., April 10, Curwensville United Methodist Church - Social Hall, 12-5:30 p.m. n Brookville Community: Mon., April 10, Roseville Independent Chapel - Sanctuary, 12-5 p.m. n Clarion University: Wed., April 12, Gemmell Student Center - Multi Purpose Room, 1:30-6 p.m. n Punxsutawney Community: Tue., April 18, Punxsutawney VFW, 12-6 p.m. n New Bethlehem Community: Fri, April 21, New Bethlehem Fire Hall, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. n Clarion Mall: Tue., April 25, 1-5:30 p.m. n DuBois Community: Tue., April 25, Best Western Conference Center, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Blood Drive: Fri., March 31, Redbank Valley High School - Gym, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.