Lansdale Blood Drive Will Support Community

Blood donors in Lansdale will have an easy opportunity to help save lives while supporting local organizations this July.

For every unit of blood collected at the Carol H. Axelrod Memorial Blood Drive, the Axelrod family will donate to Manna on Main Street and Mitzvah Circle FOundation.

Wednesday, July 15, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Clubhouse at the Reserve at Gwynedd, 301 Primrose Drive, and will give donors an easy opportunity to help save a life while also supporting two important local organizations.

Manna on Main Street is committed to ending hunger in the North Penn region, and Mitzvah Circle Foundation which addresses critical needs of individuals and families by providing them with appropriate material support.

Through this “Community Challenge,” if the blood drive collection surpasses last year’s total of 58 units, the family will double their donations to these groups.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.chablooddrive.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (mention sponsor code “CHAMemorial”).

All presenting donors at the blood drive will receive a gift bag and free entry into a prize drawing. Appointments
are available at 15-minute intervals throughout the day.

Carol H. Axelrod was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer of the blood and bone marrow that
has no known cause, in 2003.

During her treatment for the disease, she became dependent on regular transfusions of blood and platelets.

The transfusions she received allowed her to enjoy good quality of life and gave her family the gift of more time with her.

After she passed away, her family started the blood drive as a way of giving the same gift to other families.

Their event has since grown to multiple locations throughout the year. This will be their third drive in Lansdale.

“Our family saw first hand what a difference blood donation makes for hospital patients and their families,” said daughter Michelle Scolnick. “The transfusions my mother received allowed her to live independently and enjoy
more time with family and friends.”

“This blood drive enables us to honor her memory by helping other patients spend more time with their loved ones, as well as allowing us to give back to the local community that has been so supportive of our effort. We are very pleased that this year’s blood drive in Lansdale will also benefit two groups that help individuals and families in very important ways.”

The “Community Challenge” issued by Axelrod’s family will help two local organizations carry out their
important work.

Manna on Main Street serves those in need by providing food, fulfilling social service and education needs, and conducting community outreach.

Mitzvah Circle Foundation uses individual assessment to provide items such as clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and toiletries directly to people who need them.

Every unit of donated blood can be separated into components that can be given to as many as three patients,
meaning that one donor can help save three lives.

The summer months represent a critical time for blood collection, as donations tend to decrease while demand increases.

Only volunteer blood donors can ensure that blood products are available for anyone who needs them, for any reason, in the days and weeks ahead.

For more information about the Carol H. Axelrod Memorial Blood Drive, visit www.chablooddrive.org or contact
Daniel Scolnick at dan@chablooddrive.org.