Give Hope to Cancer Patients by Giving Blood with the Red Cross

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – the perfect time to give blood or platelets to support cancer patients and others.

Anna Gwinnup, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in September 2017. Within weeks, it advanced to stage 2, forcing her to undergo a double mastectomy, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, which required blood products.

Though she was a blood donor prior to her diagnosis, Gwinnup now has a new passion for the cause. “I want to raise awareness about the need for blood to treat cancer,” she said.

Cancer patients may need red blood cell or platelet transfusions during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Donors of all blood types are needed to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this fall, especially after Hurricane Florence and subsequent flooding forced the cancellation of more than 6,000 blood and platelet donations last month.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, those who come to donate blood or platelets in October will automatically be entered to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants. Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org/GoForGoal.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct. 16-31 in Chester County:

American Red Cross Blood Donation Center
West Chester Blood Donation Center
523 East Gay St., West Chester
Monday – Thursday: 11:45 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. (whole blood)
Friday – Sunday: 7:15 a.m. – 3 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)

Berwyn
10/21/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Congregation Or Shalom, 835 Darby-Paoli Road

Exton
10/28/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Clarion at Exton, 815 N. Pottstown Pike
10/29/2018: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., West Chester School District Administration Building, 782 Springdale Road

Kennett Square
10/24/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Patrick’s Church, 212 Meredith St.

Malvern
10/16/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Arbor Ridge, 72 E. Swedesford Road

Parkesburg
10/30/2018: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., VFW Post No. 4480, 406 Fourth Ave.

Phoenixville
10/19/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., YMCA, 400 E. Pothouse Road
10/24/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., University of Valley Forge, Capeci Hall, 40 Pine Crest St.

West Chester
10/16/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Chester University, Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Ave.
10/18/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 730 S. New St.
10/22/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Stetson Middle School, 1060 Wilmington Pike
10/22/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., E. N. Peirce Middle School, 1314 Burke Road
10/24/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Maximilian Kolbe School, 15 E. Pleasant Grove Road
10/30/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, 130 W. Miner St.

West Grove
10/30/2018: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Jennersville Hospital, 1015 W. Baltimore Pike

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Volunteers needed
Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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