Newtown Square Blood Drive To Address Ongoing Shortage

NEWTOWN SQUARE, PA – A blood drive is planned for Tuesday, Aug. 8 in Newtown Square to help restock the American Red Cross blood supply.

The drive will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at St. Anastasia Roman Catholic Church, 3311 W. Chester Pike.

Despite the Red Cross putting out a call for donations in early July, the organization is still facing a shortage.

After issuing the emergency call, the Red Cross has experienced a 30 percent increase in blood donation appointments through mid-July, the organization said.

“The blood supply is like a cell phone battery, it constantly needs recharging,” Alana Mauger, external communications manager of the Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region, said. “We sincerely appreciate those who have responded to the call to help save lives and encourage those who haven’t to consider rolling up a sleeve and give the gift of life. It only takes about an hour but can mean a lifetime for patients.”

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the Blood Donor App, visit the Red Cross website, or call 1-800-733-2767. Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass online health history questionnaire are encouraged to help reduce the time it takes to donate.

As a special thank you, those who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard, the organization said.

Blood shortages could lead to delays in patient care, something Arthur Bourget learned firsthand after being diagnosed with leukemia in July 2007. When he arrived for his second blood transfusion, he was told the blood he needed was not available. He waited eight hours for blood to arrive and to receive the transfusion he needed that day.

“One thing that I committed to my wife was that I was going to beat leukemia, no matter what, and I was going to do that,” Bourget said in a statement. “But what I wasn’t going to be able to do was survive without the blood that I needed.”

Bourget went into remission following a successful treatment plan, which included 28 blood and 34 platelet transfusions. He has been a faithful advocate for blood donations ever since.

“If it wasn’t for the generosity of volunteer blood donors, I would not be here today,” he said. “My daughter would not have a father, and my wife would not have a husband. Thank you and please give blood. You may never know the life you have saved, but I guarantee they will never forget you.”

Pictured above: 23-year-old Kelsie Webster chats with Red Cross staffer Alberto Duenas while donating blood for the first time

Photo by Amanda Romney for the American Red Cross