Red Cross Blood Shortage: How To Donate In Chester County

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The American Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage, as donations have dropped drastically over the last few months, officials said. The organization has issued an emergency call-out to all eligible individuals to donate immediately.

“It’s crucial that people donate now to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood,” said Alana Mauger, external communications manager for the Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region, in a statement. “Every day, blood and platelet donors can help save lives, and right now these heroes are needed as soon as possible.”

Summer months cause even worst shortages, as many donors do not give while on vacation or participating in strenuous summer activities, organizers said.

The time around the Fourth of July is often among the worst for the Red Cross, as the holiday exacerbates existing shortages.

In Chester County, the following blood drives are coming up:

Berwyn
7/11/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices-Fox & Roach Trident, 1205 Westlakes Drive

Coatesville
7/20/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Family Life Center, 101 Kylies Road

Devon
7/6/2017: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. John's Presbyterian Church, 217 Berkley Road
7/7/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 N. Valley Forge Road

Exton
7/11/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., AGI, 220 Valley Creek Blvd.

Frazer
7/17/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Covenant Presbyterian Church, 400 Lancaster Ave.
7/18/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., East Whiteland Township, 209 Conestoga Road

Kennett Square
7/6/2017: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Kendal Crosslands, 1660 E. Street Road
7/8/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kennett Lodge No. 475, F&AM, 121 Center St.

Oxford
7/14/2017: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sacred Heart Church, Knights of Columbus, 201 Church Road

Paoli
7/14/2017: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Paoli Hospital, 255 W. Lancaster Ave.

Pottstown
7/13/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, 2101 Pottstown Pike
7/24/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Norco Fire Hall, 144 W. Schuylkill Road

West Chester
7/18/2017: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., West Chester University, Newman Center, 409 Trinity Drive
7/18/2017: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Sts. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court

West Grove
7/7/2017: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Londongrove Township Building, 372 Rose Hill Road

To schedule an appointment to donate, use the free Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

With reporting from Patch correspondent Scott Daniel

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