Red Cross calls for blood donors

Holiday season usually sees decrease in number of donations

WEST CHESTER » With the busy holiday season approaching, the American Red Cross encourages donors to give blood now to help ensure a sufficient supply for patients this winter.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, many regular donors delay giving due to holiday activities and travel. This often decreases the amount of donated blood available for patients.

More donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help stock the shelves for patients like Emily Bratton. After the birth of her first child, she received several units of blood.

“I know that my life was saved because someone, somewhere, was willing to donate their blood,” said Bratton. “There aren’t words to describe how incredibly thankful I am that people are willing to donate blood to help a stranger.”

Give patients in need another reason to be thankful – make an appointment to give blood. Download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-7332767).

American Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in Chester County:

West Chester Blood Donation Center

523 East Gay St., West Chester

Monday - Thursday: 11:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. (whole blood)

Friday - Sunday: 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. (whole blood & platelet pheresis)

Devon

Nov. 3: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., St. Luke Lutheran Church, 203 N. Valley Forge Road

Downingtown

Nov. 2: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Downingtown Country Club, 93 Country Club Drive

Nov. 8: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chester County Intermediate Unit, 455 Boot Road

Exton

Nov. 9: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., AGI, 220 Valley Creek Blvd.

Nov. 10: 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Collegium Charter School, 535 James Hance Court

Glenmoore

Nov. 2: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Forks of Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 1648 Horseshoe Pike

Kennett Square

Nov. 1: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church of Kennett Square, 415 W. State St.

West Chester

Nov. 2: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Penn Wood Elementary School, 1470 Johnny’s Way

Nov. 6: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Saints Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Court

West Grove

Oct. 31: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Jennersville Regional Hospital, 1015 W. Baltimore Pike

Nov. 15: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Avon Grove High School, 257 E. State Road