PHILADELPHIA, PA — The American Red Cross is urging Chester County residents to donate blood or platelets this month as the national blood supply remains under severe pressure following the organization’s second-ever blood crisis declaration in late July.
The Red Cross reported that thousands of donors have responded since the declaration, but available blood products remain at a four-year summer low as vacations, back-to-school schedules and other seasonal factors reduce donor availability.
According to the organization, adding just three donors at each blood drive could help stabilize supplies and protect patient care.
Donors of all blood types are needed. Appointments can be scheduled through the Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767.
People who donate between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31 will receive a $20 Amazon Gift Card by email, according to the Red Cross. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/August.
The West Chester Blood Donation Center, 1065 Andrew Drive, is open from 11:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Additional Chester County blood drives scheduled for August include:
- Avondale: Aug. 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Garage Community and Youth Center, 121 Pennsylvania Ave.
- Berwyn: Aug. 16, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. Monica’s Roman Catholic Church, 63 Main Ave.; Aug. 20, 1-6 p.m., Easttown Library, 720 First Ave.
- Coatesville: Aug. 18, 2-7 p.m., St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 2835 Manor Road.
- Devon: Aug. 19, 1-6 p.m., and Aug. 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 N. Valley Forge Road.
- Exton: Aug. 12, noon-5 p.m., West Chester School District Administration Building, 782 Springdale Drive; Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway; Aug. 14, 1-6 p.m., West Whiteland Township Building, 101 Commerce Drive; Aug. 24, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn Exton/West Chester, 720 E. Eagleview Blvd.; Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Building 224, 224 Valley Creek Blvd.; Aug. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Chester County Economic Development Council, 737 Constitution Drive; and Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Chester County Council Boy Scouts of America, 1 Scouting Way.
- Kennett Square: Aug. 12, noon-5 p.m., Kennett Area YMCA, 101 Race St.; Aug. 19, 1-6 p.m., Episcopal Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St.
- Oxford: Aug. 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Oxford United Methodist Church, 18 Addison St.
- Paoli: Aug. 21, 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave.
- Phoenixville: Aug. 17 and Aug. 27, 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., VFW Post No. 1564 Ettinger Powers Campbell, 200 Starr St.; Aug. 24, 1-6 p.m., Phoenixville Recreation Center, 501 Franklin Ave.
- Spring City: Aug. 27, 1-6 p.m., Liberty Fire Company, 20 S. Main St.
- West Chester: Aug. 25, noon-5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, 130 W. Miner St.; Aug. 26, 1-6 p.m., St. Maximilian Kolbe School, 300 Daly Drive; Aug. 29, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., New Mosque, 1001 Pottstown Pike.
- West Grove: Aug. 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 300 State Road.
The Red Cross is also encouraging people who cannot donate to ask eligible friends, relatives and coworkers to schedule appointments as it works to rebuild supplies through the remainder of the summer.
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