CHESTER COUNTY, PA — As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood and platelets now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.
A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure lifesaving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.
In thanks for helping at this urgent time, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
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). Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to give again. Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Chester County:
Chester Springs
8/24/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Reserve at Eagle Village, 143 Palsgrove Way
Coatesville
8/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 2835 Manor Road
Devon
8/22/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Main Line Unitarian Church, 816 S. Valley Forge Road
Downingtown
8/17/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Central Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Uwchlan Ave.
8/22/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road
8/24/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Downingtown Friends Meeting, 800 Lancaster Ave.
8/30/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Borough of Downingtown, Annex Building, 4 W. Lancaster Ave.
Exton
8/26/2018: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Clarion at Exton, 815 N. Pottstown Pike
Kennett Square
8/17/2018: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Kennett Area YMCA, 101 Race St.
Malvern
8/16/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Workspace Property Trust, 5 Great Valley Parkway
8/20/2018: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, 414 Paoli Pike
Oxford
8/20/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Oxford Presbyterian Church, 6 Pine St.
Parkesburg
8/23/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Parkesburg Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 406 W. Second Ave.
West Chester
8/19/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Goshen Fire Company, 1320 Park Ave.
8/28/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., ACAC Fitness and Wellness Center, 1130 McDermott Drive
8/31/2018: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Good Fellowship Ambulance, 600 Montgomery Ave.
West Grove
8/23/2018: 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, contact contact Nancy Tobin at 215-451-4229 or nancy.tobin@redcross.org or 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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This article is intended for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only and should not be construed as advice, guidance or counsel. It is provided without warranty of any kind.