CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A wave of winter storms has wiped out hundreds of blood drives nationwide, and health officials are now urging Chester County residents to act quickly as hospitals face growing strain from a deepening blood shortage.
The American Red Cross said more than 500 blood drives have been canceled since the beginning of the year, leaving over 20,000 blood and platelet donations uncollected. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, 13 drives were disrupted, costing the region nearly 350 blood product donations while winter weather also slowed transportation of blood to hospitals.
Chester County remains one of the region’s most critical areas for recovery efforts, with multiple donation sites operating throughout February as the Red Cross works to stabilize supply levels.
The West Chester Blood Donation Center, located at 1065 Andrew Drive, continues to accept donors seven days a week, with weekday hours running from 11:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and weekend hours from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional Chester County blood drives scheduled in the coming weeks include a February 10 drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chester County Intermediate Unit on Boot Road in Downingtown; a February 11 drive from noon to 5 p.m. at the Kennett Area YMCA on Race Street in Kennett Square; and a February 16 drive from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Agnes Parish on West Gay Street in West Chester.
Coatesville will host a blood drive on February 23 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church on Manor Road, while Exton will see multiple drives throughout the month, including February 9 at the Hilton Garden Inn on Eagleview Boulevard and February 27 at the West Whiteland Township Building on Commerce Drive.
Red Cross officials warned that shortfalls caused by canceled drives are already forcing some hospitals nationwide to postpone elective procedures. When supplies reach critically low levels, trauma surgeons and emergency physicians may be forced to delay care, a scenario officials say is becoming increasingly realistic if donations do not rebound.
While Chester County is a focal point, surrounding counties are also hosting drives to support the regional blood supply, including locations in Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Officials said donors willing to travel can help offset shortages caused by weather-related cancellations elsewhere.
To encourage participation, the Red Cross is offering a $20 e-gift card to donors who give blood or platelets between January 26 and February 28, 2026. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Heart.
Appointments can be scheduled through the Blood Donor App, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
With winter weather continuing to threaten cancellations, Red Cross officials stressed that steady turnout in Chester County over the coming weeks could play a decisive role in keeping hospitals supplied when blood is needed most.
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