Donate Blood This Holiday Season In The Malvern Area

MALVERN, PA – Emergencies don’t take time off for holidays. The American Red Cross needs Malvern area blood and platelet donors to help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.

There are several upcoming drives in the area around the holiday season.

Details of the drives are below:

• 12/21/2018: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli
• 12/28/2018: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli
• 1/11/2019: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Penn State Great Valley, 30 E. Swedesford Road, Malvern

Those who give blood and platelets Dec. 20 through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

In November 2016, a 100-foot maple tree fell on Mike McMahon, causing life-threatening injuries. He needed 11 units of blood during emergency surgery and another seven units to treat complications after. Six weeks following the accident, McMahon was released from the hospital – just in time to spend the holidays with his family.

"I’m grateful for the donors who gave me such an amazing gift – the gift of life," said McMahon. "I was an occasional blood donor before the accident. Today, I donate as often as I can to help ensure others receive blood when they need it most."

Now is an important time to give blood and platelets. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.

Give the gift of life – make an appointment to donate blood and platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

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