RedCrossPhillyBlog

Category: Biomedical Services

  • National Blood Donor Month: Gary LaSasso is part of a passionate platelet donor community

    By Jenny Farley

    Platelet donor Gary LaSasso with Red Cross phlebotomist Jamiee Saunders. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    When Gary LaSasso’s young cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia four years ago, Gary wanted to help in any way he could.

    “I knew that he was going to be in need of constant platelets during his treatments and I thought I would do my part to help refill the platelet population – replenish the platelets.”

    Knowing his cousin needed platelets to be able to undergo chemotherapy to treat his Leukemia led Gary to begin an odyssey of giving. For the past four years, he has donated platelets 18 times a year.

    Initially, Gary thought he was going to donate once a month. An encounter with another donor changed his mind.

    “I sat down in the canteen after one of my donations and another donor thanked me for my donation. I thought it was kind of strange, why is a donor thanking a donor?”

    Gary asked the donor – why? Her answer stuck with him.

    She said, “We just moved from Chicago. Our son is undergoing clinical trials at CHOP in Philadelphia and if he doesn’t get platelets every week he’s going to die. It’s people like you who donate that save his life. So, at that point I was like I can’t give once a month. I have to give more.”

    Platelets are needed by someone in the U.S. every 15 seconds. They are tiny cells that help blood to clot, which stops bleeding. Nearly half of all donated platelets go to cancer patients, but blood products are also needed for accident and burn victims, people with sickle cell disease, or those who have undergone heart surgery.

    To understand Gary’s commitment to giving, it takes two to three hours to make a platelet donation. But Gary didn’t stop there. He actively recruits other donors.

    “My 18 is one thing but if I can get two or three other people to give 10 times, that’s many more than I’m giving, so I like to use social media to spread the word and hopefully get more people.”

    Gary works in information technology (IT) for a biomedical company called Amicus Therapeutics. The company hosts blood drives at the office and allows employees to take three volunteer days a year, which gives Gary time to donate.

    “Culturally at our company we give back. That’s part of who we are. We have a mission called healing beyond disease.”

    He said, “I’m not a scientist, so I’m not going to invent anything to cure anything.” What he feels he can do through his role in IT is to help people “communicate and collaborate more effectively and efficiently,” which he said helps him “give back” to the community.

    He also plans to keep donating platelets and hopes other people will follow his lead.

    “Do it once. Join the Facebook group of platelet donors of the Red Cross, and when you’re around a community and you understand the impact that you’re making, you won’t just do it once. You’ll give a lot more.”

    When you donate platelets, you can relax and stretch out in a comfy chair. Pass the time by watching TV or a movie, all while knowing you are saving lives.

    To make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross donor app or call 1-800-RED CROSS. That’s 1-800-733-2767.

  • National Blood Donor Month: Jim Hare is a lifetime volunteer

    By Jackie Faiman

    Red Cross graphic – National Blood Donor Month. Give blood!

    Sometimes one act of selflessness begets another. Or in the case of Jim Hare, a lifetime of volunteerism. Jim remembers being captivated, as a young boy, by the story of his grandfather, who served as an army medic in France during World War I. The tales of his heroism led Jim—who never met his grandfather—to pursue opportunities throughout his life.

    While in college, Jim taught woodworking to adults with intellectual disabilities. He also donated blood for the first time and learned that he had O-positive blood type, a universal donor. Throughout his college years, during which he received a degree in civil engineering and also got married, Jim continued to donate blood, sometimes as often as four times a year.

    Jim spent the first two decades of his career in a range of testing and inspection roles for construction and insurance companies. His blood donations continued apace, and then his volunteerism blossomed in another direction as his family grew. His second daughter, born with Down’s Syndrome, became involved with athletics as a youngster.

    As Jim tells it, “First it was swimming. We entered her into the Special Olympics. Then she started bowling with them, and a few years later, skiing, and then golf. All the while I led volunteering to coach all of these sports. At one point she was participating in four sports while I was coaching all four! I saw fellowship and companionship develop among participants.”

    Jim has continued faithfully to donate blood as often as he is able. When asked about his loyalty to the American Red Cross, he cites their commitment to helping in disaster situations and local communities throughout the country, as well as addressing the perennial need for blood in hospitals and blood banks. He notes that not everybody can donate blood, but that there are many ways to be of service. He says, “Just reach out and see what you can do.”

    For many years, Jim was in possession of his grandfather’s war mementos: cigarette lighters, helmets, swords, an army jacket. Eventually Jim donated them to the Snyder County Museum, where they sit on display, ready to inspire a new generation of visitors.

  • National Blood Donor Month: Anna Heleniak is committed to helping others

    By Jenny Farley

    Anna Heleniak gives blood at the new East Norriton Blood Donation Center with phlebotomist Peyton Harris. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    After watching her dad donate blood throughout her childhood, Anna Heleniak started donating blood years ago and has kept it up ever since.

    “I started as soon as I could, when I was 17. My high school did blood drives, and I just turned 35,” she said.

    Someone needs blood in the United States every two seconds. Anna likes knowing that her blood donations help save lives in her community and beyond.

    “I knew that there was always a need and it’s something that I can do that makes a difference.”

    The American Red Cross provides about 40% of America’s blood supply and operates about 500 drives across the country daily. Anna works in marketing for a pharmaceutical company that hosts blood drives a couple of times a year and she said making an impact in healthcare is really important to her.

    “The Red Cross has such a great reputation so to be able to support the organization and do it in, like a healthcare way, which is something I’m interested in, was important. And I figured if I have the blood and I’m eligible, why not?”

    Anna recently made her 38th blood donation and makes an effort to donate every 56 days, the amount of time that whole blood can be donated safely.

    She has donated blood on blood mobiles and at community centers, but she was especially excited to see the new blood donation center open in East Norriton on Halloween, because it has convenient hours and is close to her house.

    She was one of the first people to donate on opening day and had great things to say about the new fixed donation site, which is located in Northtowne Plaza at 2880 DeKalb Pike, near the intersection of Germantown Pike and DeKalb Pike.

    “It’s beautiful! It’s really nice. It’s bright. It looks like it has all the latest technology and resources so it’s a friendly and inviting place to walk in and give blood.”

    Anna enjoys using the Red Cross Blood Donor App to see where her donated blood ends up.

    “Sometimes it would go to local hospitals, but recently it’s been going further and further, which means we’re able to fulfill needs in communities that maybe don’t have as many blood donors. Last time it went to West Virginia, or Ohio, so it’s nice to know that you can track and see.”

    She said, “I helped someone who I didn’t even know needed help.”

    If you would like to make an appointment to donate blood, visit

    RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross donor app or call 1-800-RED CROSS. That’s 1-800-733-2767.

  • Help prevent blood shortages in 2025 by giving blood or platelets now

    Donors have chance to win trip to Super Bowl LIX during National Blood Donor Month

    Red Cross graphic – Give blood. Win a trip to Super Bowl LIX

    The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give lifesaving blood or platelets in the new year to help keep the blood supply strong this winter. Type O negative blood donors and those giving platelets are especially urged to give now to keep critical blood products on the shelves for patients in need.

    The start of the new year is one of the most challenging times to collect blood products as the threat of severe winter weather builds and can often lead to widespread blood drive cancellations. Additionally, an active cold and flu season may prevent people from keeping donation appointments as they rest and recover from illness. During National Blood Donor Month, the Red Cross celebrates those who generously roll up a sleeve to help save lives and urges those who are feeling well to make and keep donation appointments to help the blood supply stay on track throughout the winter. 

    Don’t sit on the sidelines − kick off 2025 with a blood or platelet donation. To book a time to give, visit RedCrossBlood.org, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

    For the sixth year, the Red Cross and the National Football League (NFL) are partnering in January for National Blood Donor Month to invite football fans and blood donors to join our lifesaving team and score big for patients in need. As a special thank-you to donors for helping address the need for blood during the critical post-holiday time, those who come to give Jan. 1-26, 2025, will be automatically entered for a chance to win an exciting Super Bowl LIX giveaway. The trip includes access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare, three-night hotel accommodations (Feb. 7-10, 2025), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.For full details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl.

  • Ribbon cutting marks the grand opening of East Norriton Blood Donation Center

    By Alana Mauger

    Red Cross officials cut the ribbon for the new East Norriton Blood Donation Center on Dec. 19, 2024. Pictured (from left), Delaware Valley Chapter Executive Director Lynn Cohen; Delaware Valley Board of Directors John Susanin; Fixed Site Collections Manager Katrell Patterson; Collections Supervisor Nakiesha Townsend; Regional CEO Jennifer Graham; and Regional Donor Service Executive Helen Munizza. Photo by Tatiana Madise / American Red Cross

    Before ringing in the new year, the American Red Cross celebrated the grand opening of its new East Norriton Blood Donation Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Dec. 19, 2024. The Red Cross began collecting blood and platelet donations at the site on Halloween.

    The new facility is located inside Northtowne Plaza at the intersection of Germantown and DeKalb pikes, just across from Suburban Community Hospital, in the heart of Montgomery County. Once you’re at the shopping center, you can find it between Dollar General and America’s Best.

    The new facility is now one of two fixed blood donation sites in Montgomery County, joining our Horsham location, which opened in 2021.

    “These sites allow us to collect more blood products to supply to hospitals all over the Delaware Valley,” said Lynn Cohen, executive director of the Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter, which serves Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.

    While mobile blood drives will continue to operate at businesses, schools, churches and other locations throughout the region, some donors may find it easier to fit a blood donation into their busy schedules at convenient, fixed locations with consistent hours.

    “Unfortunately, work and other factors have impacted when and where people give blood, creating new challenges we must overcome,” Lynn shared.

    To meet the growing and changing needs for blood products, the East Norriton site is one of four new donation centers the Red Cross has opened in Southeastern Pennsylvania, plus another one less than a mile from the Pennsylvania state line in Wilmington, Delaware.

    Importantly, donation centers are where the Red Cross collects platelets – tiny cells in your blood that form clots and stop bleeding. With a shelf life of only five days, platelets are in constant demand to treat patients with cancer and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

    “When someone experiences an emergency, it’s the blood already on hospital shelves that helps save lives,” Lynn reminded those attending the ribbon cutting. “Patients and their families are counting on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to share their health.”

    The East Norriton Blood Donation Center is open Mondays 11:45 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursdays 10:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment to donate, visit RedCrossBlood.org, use the Red Cross Blood Donor App or call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).

  • Media Rugby Football Club and VFW recognized for commitment to blood collection in Delco

    By Alana Mauger

    Red Cross Donor Services account manager Lisa Cullison presents certificates to Media Rugby Football Club (RFC) and VFW Post No. 3460 leaders (from left) Larry Elias, Media RFC trustee; Pat Flanagan, VFW general manager; and Jason Rode, Media FRC Board of Trustees chairman. Photo by Katerina Luchinina / American Red Cross. Visit our Flickr album for more photos.

    When the COVID-19 pandemic struck Pennsylvania and schools, government offices and non-essential businesses closed, nearly every blood drive was cancelled.  While blood collection was deemed an essential service for public health, the American Red Cross struggled to find places willing to open their doors to host blood drives.

    Media Rugby Football Club (Media RFC) was among the first of several organizations to step up. The club was already on the books to hold its semi-annual blood drive in March 2020 at Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post. No. 3460, which opened its doors since facilities at the Media Borough building were closed.

    “Because the Red Cross was struggling to book drives, they asked Media Rugby if we would be willing to host additional drives, every other month,” said Larry Elias, Media RFC trustee. “After discussions between the post and club leadership, we notified the Red Cross of our desire to host once-a-month drives as long as the need exists.”

    After things started opening back up, the organizations continued to hold monthly drives, and they’re still going strong today! You can give blood on the last Wednesday of every month with Media RFC at the VFW.

    “Due to the strong cooperation of between VFW Post 3460 and Media Rugby and the outstanding support of the tight-knit Delaware County community, the monthly drives continued to be a success,” said Elias. “The decision was made to continue the monthly drives, making a reliable schedule.”

    Last month, Red Cross Donor Services recognized the Media RFC and VFW Post No. 3460 for their commitment to blood collection in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Red Cross account manager Lisa Cullison presented certificates to leaders from both organizations during their monthly blood drive on Nov. 27th.

    “We’re grateful to the Media Rugby Football Club, VFW Post No. 3460 and organizations like them across Southeastern Pennsylvania that stepped up during the pandemic – and continue to step up – to host blood drives and help ensure patients have access to lifesaving blood,” said Annette Tucci-Jenkins, Red Cross Donor Services district manager. “There is no substitute for blood. Patients rely on generously donated blood every day for a variety of reasons, including trauma, cancer, surgery, sickle cell disease and more.”

    Since the Red Cross began keeping electronic records in 1998, the Media RFC hosted 68 blood drives and helped collect 2,261 units of blood, helping thousands of patients.

    “Both the VFW and Media Rugby Club are thankful to the Red Cross and our community for making these monthly events successful,” said Elias.

  • Inspired by her brother Logan, Ava Conley helps organize Peter Powerhouse Foundation blood drives to help others

    By Jenny Farley

    Ava Conley and her brother Logan Conley are shown in a photo taken by their mom Amy Conley. Submitted photo

    Logan Conley is 13 years old and throughout his young life he has already undergone more than 100 chemotherapy treatments to fight a brain tumor that cost him most of his sight. To be able to receive that treatment, he had to receive numerous blood transfusions, and that led to a family effort to make sure kids like Logan get the blood they need to survive and thrive.

    Amy Conley is Logan’s mom. She and her daughter Ava, who is a senior in high school, took over running the American Red Cross Peter Powerhouse Foundation blood drives, held 10 months out of the year, at the Towamencin Mennonite Church in Kulpsville, Pennsylvania.

    The Peter Powerhouse Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps improve the lives of kids fighting cancer by providing money to organizations that research or treat the disease.

    Ava became the new Blood Program Leader earlier this year, and despite a busy schedule that includes school and sports, she spends hours each month making sure the blood drives are a success.

    “It makes me so happy to know that drives make an impact on so many lives. I feel so blessed to live in such a tight knit community that understands the importance of blood donations and continues to support us,” Ava said.

    In a Facebook post describing Logan’s brain tumor years ago, Amy wrote, “Our world turned upside down the week after Christmas 2015.” Logan’s tumor, diagnosed at age 4, was discovered by an MRI that resulted in surgery in January 2016.

    “The slow growing optic glioma was found in Logan’s optic nerve, which doctors believe then grew into the optic pathway, resulting in vision loss, which Logan will deal with for a lifetime,” Amy said.

    After years of treatment, his tumor is now stable, and he has scans every six months to make sure things haven’t changed.

    Getting blood transfusions helped Logan, but getting blood depends on donors. Every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood, and the Red Cross provides about 40% of America’s supply.

    “Peter Powerhouse ran these incredible blood drives through the Red Cross for kids like Logan.” Amy said, “Logan and other cancer patients need that blood to receive their lifesaving treatment to fight their tumors, and it also made him feel so much better.”

    Amy said she could almost tell when Logan’s cell counts were low because he would look pale and be lethargic. “You just don’t feel good. The difference that it made once he would get that blood transfusion was remarkable.” After a transfusion, Logan’s demeanor would change and the counts would be high enough to allow him to undergo chemo.

    Ava Conley checks in blood donors at November’s Peter Powerhouse Foundation blood drive. Submitted photo

    Ava was 8 years old when she first witnessed what her brother had to go through. Her mom said that was hard on her when she was young and didn’t really understand what was happening. But as Ava got older, Amy said Ava saw “what a difference the blood made for Logan and became very interested.”

    Ava finds helping people like her brother by recruiting and encouraging others to donate blood “rewarding.”

    She said, “As someone who knows what it’s like to be impacted by childhood cancer, to know that the blood I’m raising is literally saving lives, making someone who is going through chemotherapy feel better, or allowing them to get treatment by raising their blood counts – that’s all I need to continue to host drives.”

    Today, Logan loves playing flag football, basketball and riding his bike around the neighborhood. Because he lost most of his sight at such a young age, he has developed skills and techniques that help him scan his environment with his remaining vision.

    “He does really well,” Amy said. Logan participates in “all the normal things that a 13-year-old would want to do.”

    Ava is making plans to go to college and plans to keep convincing more people to donate blood.

    “I’m happy that for each drive I did recruit a few new donors, but I would like to continue to increase that number.”

    The next Peter Powerhouse Foundation blood drive will be held at the Towamencin Mennonite Church on December 26th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The address is 1980 Sumneytown Pike in Kulpsville, Pennsylvania. If you can’t get out to donate then, a drive is scheduled for January 15th at the same location from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. Drives are hosted monthly except for April and June. Visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code Peter Powerhouse to schedule an appointment at an upcoming blood drive.

  • Red Cross opens first Blood Donation Center in Bucks County

    By Jenny Farley

    The new Langhorne Blood Donation Center is located at 100 N. Bucks Town Drive, Suite 204. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    The American Red Cross has opened a new Blood and Platelet Donation Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, the first one in Bucks County. Blood donors at the new fixed site can make whole blood, platelet, plasma and Power Red donations.

    The center is located at 100 North Bucks Town Drive in Suite 204. There is plenty of free parking.

    Jeff Rowlands, who retired three years ago, was the first donor on the schedule for an opening day platelet donation. He started donating whole blood in high school.

    “Later on, my brother had a blood disorder, so I gave to support that,” he said. His late brother Doug had to undergo transfusions throughout his illness.

    Jeff has donated platelets for the past few years and said it makes him feel good to help people by giving.

    “I think this is my 17th time this year because you can give every two weeks.”

    Platelet donor Jeff Rowlands is shown on the left with blood collector Courtney Williams. Jeff said needles don’t bother him. “They’re so good at it you don’t even feel it.” Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Andree Baylor-Lloyd is the fixed site director for the Northeast Division who has worked for the Red Cross for 35 years. She called the new center “lovely” and “busy” and was thrilled that all 38 available appointments were filled on opening day.

    “That’s very exciting for us!”

    Platelet donations can only be made at fixed sites. The Langhorne Blood Center has 12 available appointments each day for platelet donors.

    Platelets are tiny cells that help blood clot. Nearly half of all donated platelets go to help cancer patients who often require a transfusion before receiving treatment like chemotherapy.

    “I believe that we do extend life and we help those who are going through a troubling time until doctors can find a cure,” Andree said.

    The need for platelets is constant because they must be transfused within five days of the donation.

    Gary LaSasso has donated platelets 18 times a year for the past four years. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Like Jeff Rowlands, Gary LaSasso is a regular platelet donor. He began after his young cousin was diagnosed with Leukemia four years ago. Gary has donated platelets 18 times, for the past four years in a row.

    “Today specifically was to christen this new beautiful facility.” He said, “It’s awesome.”

    Gary was happy with the convenience of the new Blood Donation Center and gave a special shoutout to two familiar blood collectors who were working on opening day. He knew them from his time giving blood in Horsham.

    “The wonderful Courtney and Keisha.”

    Courtney Williams has worked for the American Red Cross for seven years, the past five as a phlebotomist.

    “I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else,” she said.

    Her favorite part of the job is talking with donors, especially frequent donors like Gary, and she said, “I love sticking.” That’s inserting the needle.

    Phlebotomist Keisha Gowe likes that part too. She has worked for the Red Cross for about six years and said she enjoys meeting new donors and getting to interact with them. Keisha had great things to say about opening day at Langhorne. “It’s going well. People are coming out, so it’s nice to see.”

    Gary Waite is pictured on the left with his daughter Jennifer in the middle and his wife Joy on the right. The Waite family frequently donates blood together in honor of Joy’s late sister Joan who donated 53 gallons of blood during her lifetime. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    Whole blood donor Jennifer Waite is a sales trainer who has started hosting blood drives at her company’s Chicago office. She donated blood in memory of her aunt Joan who died in a skiing accident and was a frequent blood donor.

    “It’s probably one of the only selfless things that you can do for another person. You get back from it the good feeling of helping someone.”

    Along with their daughter, Jennifer’s parents Gary and Joy also donated on opening day.

    “We’re happy that they opened this center so close to us!” Joy said.

    Linda Haft is a retired teacher who began giving years ago at the encouragement of her husband. She said he has donated at least 20 gallons.

    Linda donated whole blood and plans to make the new Langhorne location her go-to place to give blood from now on.

    “This is gorgeous. This place is beautiful. These chairs are comfortable, and the lighting is nice and bright for the workers. It’s nice to have a permanent home,” she said.

    Linda Haft is a retired teacher who donated blood at the new Langhorne Blood and Platelet Donation Center in Bucks County. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross

    The new Langhorne Blood and Platelet Donation Center is open:

    • Tuesday & Wednesday: 11:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
    • Thursday: 10:15 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
    • Saturday: 7:15 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    The center is closed Monday, Friday and Sunday.

    To keep up with the constant need for blood products, the Langhorne location is one of four new blood donation centers the Red Cross has built in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

    Blood donors can also still help save lives at Red Cross blood drives across Bucks County.

    Make an appointment to donate blood by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross donor app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. That’s 1-800-733-2767. You can also enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or get more information.

  • In The News – 6abc: 100-year-old former nurse continues to donate blood to American Red Cross

    6abc’s Matteo Iadonisi interviews Blanche McKee, a retired nurse who donated blood at an American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania blood drive just days after turning 100 years old. Blanche was responsible for establishing blood drives to her retirement community, Freedom Village in Coatesville, years ago. The segment aired during 6abc’s 6 p.m. broadcast on Dec. 9, 2024. For more, check out our blog story about Blanche’s donation.

  • Red Cross on 2024 trends: Extreme weather creates massive humanitarian needs amid nonstop disaster responses

    By Dave Skutnik

    Red Cross graphic – How we helped this year.

    In 2024, extreme weather mounted an overwhelming toll on people in the U.S., who relied on the American Red Cross for relief and care as they faced the country’s second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters ever recorded.

    This year’s 24 major climate and weather events — each with losses exceeding $1 billion — are topped only by last year’s record-breaking 28, and the year isn’t over yet. To help, over 50 Red Cross volunteers from Southeastern Pennsylvania have been part of teams responding nonstop to provide shelter, food and other assistance to tens of thousands of people reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton — all while continuing to care for families still recovering from 2023’s extreme disasters.

    “First-hand, I’ve seen the devastation that disasters have caused families this year — and extreme weather shows no signs of slowing down,” said Jennifer Graham, regional CEO for the American Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Whether a crisis happens in our backyard or a community across the country, neighbors are counting on us to help ensure they don’t face it alone. Please join us by making a donation of any size or rolling up a sleeve to give blood or platelets.”

    This Giving Tuesday and holiday season, visit redcross.org to make a financial donation or an appointment to give blood or platelets. People can also give the gift of time through volunteering. 

    NEED FOR FOOD IN 2024 NEARLY TRIPLES 5-YEAR NATIONAL AVERAGE

    Nationally, the scope of disasters increased this year’s demand for necessities like food and emergency lodging — which both exceeded the annual average for the past five years. In fact, this year’s more than 7 million meals and snacks, served by Red Cross volunteers, nearly tripled that average.

    Locally, the Red Cross has responded to more than 400 disasters this year in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties. This includes several large apartment building fires in Philadelphia that displaced hundreds of people. Red Cross volunteers were there to provide shelter, food and financial assistance to help these local families get back on their feet. And on a national scale, dozens of volunteers from Southeastern Pennsylvania responded to help during large national disasters such as hurricanes in the Southeast and wildfires along the West Coast.

    Philadelphia Red Cross volunteer Randy Miller recently returned from North Carolina, where she spent 14 days serving communities that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene’s destruction. She says it was her first national deployment with the American Red Cross, where she was “supporting the emotional needs of not just the people who are in the shelters, but the community as a whole.”

    RESPONDING TO OTHER HUMANITARIAN NEEDS

    This year, the Red Cross addressed people’s urgent needs in other ways too:

    BLOOD DONATIONS
    Blood donors have given nearly 100,000 units of blood in Southeastern Pennsylvania this year, helping overcome blood drive cancellations due to the country’s severe weather and heat, including a dozen drives locally. This support was critical to the 38 local hospitals that receive Red Cross blood products. In addition, as the nation’s largest blood supplier, the Red Cross helped ensure patients continued accessing lifesaving treatment during major disasters by pre-positioning blood products near areas likely to be impacted — including in Georgia and Florida for Hurricane Helene and again just days later for Hurricane Milton. To celebrate 30 years of FRIENDS, all who come to give blood or platelets through December 8 will receive two pairs of custom FRIENDS + Red Cross socks, while supplies last, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products. See RedCrossBlood.org/Friends for details.

    LIFESAVING TRAINING
    With emergency rooms experiencing a spike in heat illness visits amid the country’s extreme temperatures this past summer, Red Cross instructors empowered millions of people — including over 50,000 in Southeastern Pennsylvania  — this year with vital first aid, CPR and AED skills to help them prevent and respond to heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

    MILITARY FAMILIES
    Through our 24/7, global Hero Care Network, local Red Cross workers supported military members, veterans and their families in Southeastern Pennsylvania this year through over 1,500 services, such as connecting deployed service members and loved ones during family emergencies.

    Visit redcross.org/philly for more information about how the Red Cross helped people in the Delaware Valley in 2024.