PITTSBURGH —–WEDNESDAY, December 1 the Block Northway will partner with Vitalant, for a blood drive from Noon to 6 p.m. in the South Corridor, Upper Level near DSW and Land’s End.
“Donating blood is an excellent way to give back to the community,” said Jamie Pavlot, Director of Experience. “We encourage all to be inspired to give blood to help save and improve the lives of so many.”
Please make an appointment now:
Visit https://www.vitalant.org
Vitalant’s footprint has deep community roots. They provide the blood that area hospitals need to treat patients who may not survive without it.
There’s a critical blood shortage and blood donations are being distributed to hospital patients faster than donors are giving. These patients need your help to recruit blood donors and rebuild the blood supply to sufficient levels.
As the country adjusts to a new phase of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the availability of the U.S. blood supply is paramount. Blood is an essential part of the nation’s health care system and relied upon for medical treatments for millions of patients. No substitute for blood exists and blood products have a limited shelf life. Thus, the U.S. blood supply must constantly be replenished by blood donors whose generosity ensures the continued availability of blood for the patients who depend on it.
Blood centers nationwide have reported declines in blood collections in recent weeks. Some have reported their lowest donor turnout in more than a year. These trends are concerning, as both patients and blood centers depend on the altruism of donors to ensure that blood is available for life-saving treatments.
Vitalant currently has less than a four-day supply of most blood types available, and less than a two-day supply of type O blood. We strive to always keep a four-day supply on hand to meet the needs of patients every day and be prepared for emergencies that would require significant volumes of donated blood products.
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What do we all have in common that instantly connects us and gives us the power to do more? It’s the blood pulsing within each of us. This amazing, ever-replenishing gift is truly a natural resource that, when shared, speeds healing and provides comfort. Lifesaving blood offers second chances and many tomorrows to those who depend on it.
Each year, nearly 5 million Americans need blood transfusions. Blood helps trauma and burn patients, premature infants, heart surgery patients, organ transplant recipients and those fighting cancer, among others. In emergencies, it’s the blood already on hospital shelves that saves lives. Learn more about what makes blood so special.
If you’ve never donated blood before, we encourage you to try! We’ll guide you through every step and answer any questions. Here’s what you can expect, eligibility requirements and things you can do ahead of time to make your experience pleasant and rewarding.
Donation Process
It takes about an hour—from the time you arrive to the time you leave—to complete a whole blood donation. The actual donation time is only about 10 minutes. Whole blood donation is most often given by new donors and is the most common type of donation. We also use special technology to collect specific blood components—red blood cells, platelets and plasma—from donors to best match current patient needs.
Before you roll up your sleeve to help someone else, please take care of yourself:
- Eat a healthy, low-fat meal within two hours ahead of your donation. The day before, eat a salty snack. When you donate blood, you lose about a gram of salt. Replacing it ahead of time helps keep your blood pressure normal.
- Hydrate by drinking 8 to 16 ounces of non-caffeinated, non-alcoholic beverages one hour before you donate. Water is a great choice.
- Avoid or limit caffeinated sodas, coffee, iced tea, and energy drinks on the day of donation.
Your simple, lifesaving action today has the remarkable power to transform lives for many tomorrows. We are grateful to the community, and we are inspired by your decision to help others.
About the Block Northway
The Block Northway is a destination center offering a strong mix of popular and branded retail concepts and includes fast casual food options. The current tenant mix includes Nordstrom Rack, Saks OFF 5th, The Container Store, Marshall’s, J. Crew Factory, DSW Designer Shoes, ULTA, PetSmart, Aldi, and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Piada Italian Street Food, Blume Nail Salon, 18/8 Fine Men’s Salon, Cycle Bar, Bassett Furniture, Wahlburgers, Le Creuset, Blaze Pizza, David’s Bridal, Dave & Buster’s, Carter’s, Torrid, Land’s End, Skechers and Philip Pelusi. Coming soon B.J. Wholesale. For more information, please visit www.theblocknorthway.com or call (412) 364-1171.
