Viewers watch the doctors and nurses of the fictional Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center save lives every Thursday on HBO Max series “The Pitt.” Now, the American Red Cross is teaming up with the show to help everyday Pittsburghers save some lives of their own.
The organization is holding a series of three blood drives — the first of which was held Tuesday — where those who donate blood will receive a “The Pitt” T-shirt after giving.
“Hopefully, that encourages people to come out,” said Nicole Roschella, communications director for the American Red Cross of Greater Pennsylvania, at Tuesday’s drive. The first in the trio of events was held at the American Red Cross Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter near RIDC Park.
According to the American Red Cross, approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the United States every day. And that life-saving blood can’t be manufactured or stockpiled; it has to come from donors.
“There’s tons of reasons and ways that you can help people,” Roschella said. “It could be someone in the emergency room from an accident. Something traumatic, like we see on ‘The Pitt.’ It could also be a mother going through a difficult childbirth.”
She cited other situations and conditions that necessitate units of blood, such as sickle cell anemia and cancer.
John Scanlon, 68, of the South Hills, showed up to donate blood on Tuesday afternoon.
“I believe the American Red Cross does a great job. I like to support them,” he said.
He sees this as his way of helping others. “I have a large family, you know, and there are members who have needed it in the past. I’ve done it for many, many years.”
Scanlon is a fan of “The Pitt” and enjoys seeing our city portrayed on television.
Besides helping out those in need, Rsochella said that there are other perks to giving blood, especially at these drives. “T-shirts, snacks. Another thing is that after you give blood, we will also tell you where your donation went, which hospital.”
Roschella herself enjoys “The Pitt” and believes it brings awareness to the realities of medical care. “I love it. Medical shows aren’t really my thing, but I love the Pittsburgh ties to it. If you’re from Pittsburgh, you love to see it represented.
“Even though it’s fictional, it’s so close to reality that people see the circumstances and all of the different ways that people could need lifesaving blood,” she said.
Two more blood drives, where donors will have the opportunity to grab a shirt from “The Pitt,” will be held in the coming weeks. One will be held on Friday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union, and the last will take place from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the Duquesne University Student Union.
For more information about blood donation and future drives, visit RedCrossBlood.org.