Upcoming Blood Drives In Bryn Mawr

BRYN MAWR, PA – The flu outbreak and recent severe weather that impacted the Philadelphia region took a toll on blood donations by canceling blood drives and keeping potential donors at home. But some upcoming blood donation opportunities in Bryn Mawr area aim to help get blood donations back on track.

The Red Cross now considers the situation critical and has reissued an urgent call for blood and platelet donors.

The upcoming drives in the Bryn Mawr area are:

• 2/6/2018: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Bryn Mawr Hospital, 130 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.
• 2/19/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rosemont College, Kaul Hall, 1400 Montgomery Ave.
• 2/20/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Thomas of Villanova, 1229 Lancaster Ave.
• 2/21/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy, 272 S. Bryn Mawr Ave.

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 35 blood drives were forced to cancel due to winter weather in January, causing close to 1,100 donations to go uncollected. In addition, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to very low turnout at many blood drives.

"Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in," Clifford Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services, said. "Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather."

Every day, no matter the weather, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to meet the needs of patients like Finnegan "Finn" Olson. Last January, Finn was born with a rare heart condition. He required multiple transfusions before, during and after heart transplant surgery last summer. Transfusions had an almost immediate effect on his personality and skin’s appearance.

"Each time Finn received a transfusion, you could see him pink up right away and have significantly more energy," said his mother, Ali Olson. "We credit blood donation with making Finn stronger and helping keep him alive long enough to receive a new heart. Finn is living proof that blood helps save lives."

Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling (800) 733-2767.

Zachary Sterbens gives a Power Red donation at the Red Cross Salt Lake City Blood Donation Center. He received a blood transfusion as a baby and has been donating for 5 years. Photo by Amanda Romney/American Red Cross