CHESTER COUNTY, PA — The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood and platelets during National Volunteer Month this April. Eligible donors of all blood types – especially type O – are needed to help ensure blood products are available for patients this spring.
Nearly half of the public knows someone who has been helped by a blood transfusion. For many volunteer blood donors, like Gail Wright, that personal connection serves as inspiration to give.
Wright’s brother was involved in a serious motorcycle accident in 1982 and needed several blood transfusions during his four-month recovery. She lived over 120 miles away at the time. Unable to be near him, she decided she could help by donating blood. Wright has continued to donate and recently completed her 11th gallon of donated blood – 88 lifesaving blood donations.
Volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those in need of transfusions, and the Red Cross salutes the volunteer blood and platelet donors who help fulfill its lifesaving mission. While donors of all blood types are needed, the Red Cross currently has a severe shortage of type O blood donations and urges type O donors to give now.
Make an appointment to help save lives now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
HBO and Red Cross invite Game of Thrones fans to Bleed #ForTheThrone
To celebrate the final season of Game of Thrones, HBO and the American Red Cross have partnered to encourage fans and donors to show their bravery and valor by bleeding #ForTheThrone. Many answered the call to give earlier this year, and much like the show, embarking on its final season, the fight for the living isn’t over.
Those who come to donate by April 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a full-size Iron Throne from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Terms and conditions apply and are available at RedCrossBlood.org/HBOGameofThrones.* Additionally, all presenting donors April 11-30, 2019, will receive a commemorative Bleed For The Throne poster, while supplies** last, and automatically be entered in the above-mentioned sweepstakes.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Chester County
American Red Cross Blood Donation Center – West Chester
523 E. Gay St., West Chester
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 11:45 a.m.-7:45 p.m. (whole blood)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 7:15 a.m.-3 p.m. (whole blood and platelet pheresis)
Devon
4/18/2019: 2:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Surrey Services, 60 Surrey Way
Exton
4/25/2019: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., West Chester School District Administration Building, 782 Springdale Road
4/28/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Clarion at Exton, 815 N. Pottstown Pike
Kennett Square
4/23/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Kennett Square Golf and Country Club, 100 E. Locust Lane
Malvern
4/22/2019: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Phelp’s School, 583 Sugartown Road
Paoli
4/26/2019: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave.
4/29/2019: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Church of the Good Samaritan, 212 W. Lancaster Ave.
Parkesburg
4/24/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Parkesburg Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 406 W. Second Ave.
Spring City
4/18/2019: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., East Vincent Township Municipal Complex, 262 Ridge Road
West Chester
4/19/2019: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., acac Fitness & Wellness Center, 1130 McDermott Drive
4/25/2019: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., West Chester University, Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Ave.
West Grove
4/18/2019: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Jennersville Hospital, 1015 W. Baltimore Pike
How to help
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.
** Offer applicable to presenting donors April 11-30, 2019, while supplies last, and subject to availability of donation opportunities in your area. Offer is for an 18×24 printed poster. Limit one (1) per donation. This offer is non-transferable and not redeemable for cash. Offer is subject to change at any time in the promotional time frame. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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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.