People give blood during a blood drive of the German Red Cross DRK because the blood reserves of the hospitals are running out in the stadium in Erfurt, central Germany, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The fear of the coronavirus also has an effect on the willingness to donate blood in many German states. According to the DRK, the number of blood donors has decreased over the past few days during the corona crises. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.
People give blood during a blood drive of the German Red Cross DRK because the blood reserves of the hospitals are running out in the stadium in Erfurt, central Germany, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. The fear of the coronavirus also has an effect on the willingness to donate blood in many German states. According to the DRK, the number of blood donors has decreased over the past few days during the corona crises. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer)
Listen to Smart Talk every weekday at 9:30 am and 7:30 pm on WITF 89.5 & 93.3. You can also stream WITF radio live on our website or ask your smart speaker to “Play WITF Radio.”
Airdate: Tuesday, January 18, 2022
The nation’s blood supplies are at historically low levels and it could have real world impacts when patients need blood to be treated for an illness, condition or injury.
The American Red Cross has called the current supply of blood a “national crisis” and dangerously low.
The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood supply.
They say that right now doctors are being forced to decide which patients receive blood transfusions and who must wait.
On Tuesday’s Smart Talk, we’re joined by Laura Burke, Executive Director, American Red Cross Central Pennsylvania Chapter to explain.
