By Alana Mauger

The American Red Cross and 6abc held their third annual Red Cross Month blood drive on March 29, adding a second South Jersey location and collecting the most blood to date.

Two hundred eighteen people came out to donate at the drives, which were held at Courtyard by Marriott in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia and at the Collingswood Grant Ballroom and Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, New Jersey. Together, the drives collected 214 units – 72 more than last year.

President and General Manager Bernie Prezenika was among the many 6abc staff who made time to donate.

“We have a big megaphone at 6abc and Action News, and we try to use it to do some good. I think it’s wonderful to partner with the Red Cross and the community to do something that we know will save lives,” said Prazenica.

Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania CEO Guy Triano was also on hand throughout the day in Philadelphia to greet and thank donors.

“We’re really trying to get as many units of blood on our shelves as we approach the spring and the summertime, where we know the shelves get a little bit bare,” he shared.

Action News Reporter Beccah Hendrickson and Photographer Ian Dorety spoke with many donors who generously rolled up their sleeves. They even took a break and donated themselves, proudly sporting their red donation bandages for the remainder of the event.

Beccah also produced several pieces leading up to the drive to build awareness about the need for donations.

One of those pieces featured 83-year-old sickle cell warrior Joan Lambright, who credits blood transfusions for continuing to save her life. Erika Jenkins, who has friends with sickle cell disease, saw that story air a week before the drive and was inspired to schedule a donation appointment, even though she had never given blood before.

“I think it’s blood that helped [Joan] live,” she said. When asked how her first donation went, Erika replied, “it was really good – a really cool experience. I will do it again.”

For Beccah’s second story, she interviewed Kayleigh Summers, who received an astounding 143 units of blood after suffering an amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) during the birth of her son Callahan, who is almost 4.

“They truly believed that I could survive this, and they just kept giving me blood and giving me blood to sustain and to keep me alive. And 143 units later, that’s exactly what they did,” she shared.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. Schedule a blood donation appointment at RedCrossBlood.org.

Editor’s Update: Joan Lambright sadly passed away on Aug. 10, 2023. Our hearts go out to Joan’s family and friends and to the many people she inspired.