ELLWOOD CITY, PA (Jan. 18, 2022) — Western Pennsylvania is experiencing a historic low blood supply amid the national blood shortage. The fast-spreading omicron variant is the latest COVID-19 complication forcing Vitalant’s community blood drives to cancel and lessening the number of healthy and available donors. Vitalant, formerly Central Blood Bank, is the exclusive blood provider to UPMC Jameson Hospital.

Riverside High School, located at 300 Country Club Dr, Ellwood City, PA 16117, traditionally hosts blood drives for their students and staff. However, in an effort to offer the community a convenient place to donate blood, the school is opening their facility to the public on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 8am to 2pm. All eligible blood donors, especially those with the most transfused blood type O, are critically needed to make an appointment at this blood drive by calling Christie at 412-589-4570. Appointments can also be made on Vitalant.org and searching with Code HS010107.

As a special thank you during January, National Blood Donor Month, all those who give with Vitalant will be automatically entered into the $5,000 Big Game Giveaway to win one of four, $5,000 prepaid gift cards redeemable by email.*

People can give blood immediately after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or the seasonal flu vaccine if all other eligibility requirements are met.