SCRANTON — A blood drive in memory of James Barrett McNulty, former mayor of Scranton, is scheduled for 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at the Scranton Health Care Center, 2933 McCarthy St.
McNulty died from the effects of colon cancer and heart disease in March.
“Throughout his lifetime, Jim was both a blood donor and then later a recipient during his illness,” said his wife, Evie Rafalko McNulty, in a news release. “We are happy to host this drive in his memory because he did so much for so many people and he would love knowing people were donating blood to help save lives in his memory.”
Known for his signature red rose, McNulty served as the 26th mayor of Scranton from 1982 to 1986. Some of his most notable accomplishments as mayor include the relocation of the Steamtown Railroad Museum from Bellows Falls, Vermont, the opening of Montage Mountain Ski Resort and the restoration of the former Erie Lackawanna Train Station.
This blood drive comes at a time when the Red Cross has issued an emergency call for donors to give now to help address a significant blood shortage and ensure area patients receive the transfusions they need. Blood products are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide.
As an additional “thank you” for donating, all presenting donors will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card claim code and a coupon for a free 57.6 oz bottle of Turkey Hill Haymakers.
To make an appointment, download the free Blood Donor App; visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code, “Scrantonhealth” or call 1-800-733-2767.
