The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help prevent a blood shortage. Blood donations often decline in August as final summer vacations are planned and back-to-school activities ramp up.
Donations are needed now to ensure that blood is available for patients in need. Donors with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative types are especially encouraged to donate. To make an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org, call 1–800-RED CROSS or download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
In addition, the Northeast Philadelphia Donor Center is open seven days a week at 1401 Rhawn St. Blood drives will be held on Aug. 19 (3 to 8 p.m.) at Walker Lodge 306, 1290 Southampton Road; on Aug. 21 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at FOP Lodge 5, 11630 Caroline Road; on Aug. 25 (2 to 7 p.m.) at YMCA, 11088 Knights Road; on Aug. 26 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) at Holy Redeemer Home Care, 12265 Townsend Road; on Aug. 28 (2 to 7 p.m.) at Philadelphia Mills, 1455 Franklin Mills Circle; on Aug. 28 (2 to 7 p.m.) at Pennypack Woods Community Building, 8724 Crispin St.; and Aug. 29 (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the Philadelphia Firefighters Academy, 5200 Pennypack St. ••