WHITEHALL, Pa. – The Whitehall Township Fire Department called a 2nd alarm on Sunday, urging friends and neighboring fire departments to come to the Egypt Fire Company’s Social Hall and donate blood.
“We respond to emergencies all the time so this is just one more thing that we can do for the community,” said Captain John Hersh with the Whitehall Township Fire Department.
Hersh started the event back in 2022 and said he got the idea from one of his doctors as he was battling cancer.
“I a run in with cancer in 2021, leukemia, and I wound up going through extensive chemotherapy that needed a lot of donated blood products to get through. I needed the red blood cells and platelet cells,” said Hersh. “I see the need for it and how important it is.”
Blood donation is needed more than ever.
“These events, they’re important because there is a blood shortage in this country,” said Miller Keystone Blood Center’s VP of Communications and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Lina Barbieri. “It’s not just a national issue. It’s a local issue, so if we can get individuals to come out and give blood at the local level, you could be saving a patient who is a friend, a family member, a neighbor.”
The American Red Cross said their blood supply dropped by 35% over the winter. Locally, Miller Keystone Blood Center, which is the local blood bank supplier for the Lehigh Valley said they’re also facing a shortage.
“If you can donate blood, please consider it, it’s so important for the community,” said Hersh.
There are a number of Miller Keystone Blood Center locations that you can schedule an appointment or walk-in and donate.
You can also contact them to set up your own community blood drive on site.