Jannette Olson makes her first Power Red donation on Dec. 5th at the opening day of the new Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Langhorne. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
Jannette Olson decided to move to Pennsylvania from New Hampshire to be closer to her kids and their families. One of the first things she did as a new resident is find a place to donate blood, something she did frequently before the big move.
“I always donated locally there with a major trauma center,” she said.
Jannette discovered the new Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Langhorne and made her first Power Red donation on the site’s opening day.
“I saw that there was a new center and it was close to my house so I figured I’d come in.”
Jannette has O negative blood, which makes her a universal donor. O negative blood is what emergency room personnel reach for when there’s no time to determine a patient’s blood type.
During her Power Red donation, Jannette gave a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation. The red blood cells were separated out from the other blood components and the plasma and platelets were safely returned to her. Power Reds can be donated every 112 days.
Donors at the new center in Langhorne can make Power Red donations as well as whole blood, plasma and platelets.
“It’s great. People are very helpful and nice,” Jannette said.
She appreciated that phlebotomists explained everything about how a Power Red donation worked, and she felt the energy of the center’s opening day.
“Everybody’s pretty excited to be here.”
If you are thinking about donating blood but haven’t done it yet, Jannette has some advice.
“Everybody should do it. It’s easy. It doesn’t take too much time and it’s the right thing to do.”
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.
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.
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.
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.”
“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.
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.
100-year-old Blanche McKee is shown holding a photo of herself from the past. She is wearing a name tag from just donating blood minutes before. Photo by Jenny Farley/ American Red Cross
Blanche McKee can’t pinpoint exactly when she started giving blood because she can’t remember a time when she didn’t.
“It’s been so long. For a long long long time,” she said. Donating blood is woven into the fabric of her life. “I just always have given blood.”
After decades of donating, turning 100 years old on October 31st wasn’t going to stop her.
Blanche was so passionate about the need for blood that she started the long running American Red Cross blood drive at her retirement community Freedom Village, in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, along with another resident years ago.
“They didn’t have one and I had worked on blood drives before I moved here so I thought we should do one.”
Just five days after her 100th birthday, Blanche McKee was happy to do what she has done for decades – donate blood. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
The latest blood drive was held on Election Day at Freedom Village. Blanche moved there 26 years ago and has made a lot of friends over the years.
Living in the same building where the Red Cross blood drive is held is the perfect way to conveniently donate and also actively recruit new donors. Blanche said sometimes people are scared to donate but she reassures them they don’t need to be.
“I don’t know why people are afraid. I just say it doesn’t hurt. You don’t miss the blood.” She said, “It’s more difficult to get men to sign up than it is women.”
Jacki Pitcher is the Director of Resident Services at Freedom Village. She said many of the people who live there have needed blood transfusions or have known someone who has needed them over the years.
“Blanche has always been a go-getter. She has never had a problem standing up in front of our monthly meetings with the residents and doing a pitch for blood drives, about how important it is and how it can save lives,” she said.
Blanche McKee graduated from the University of Iowa School of Nursing where she became a Registered Nurse.
Jacki and Blanche are both nurses by trade. Blanche became a Registered Nurse after attending a three-year program at the University of Iowa School of Nursing in her 20s.
“I wanted to do something more than just being a clerk in Woolworth’s. That’s what girls did,” she said.
As a Registered Nurse, Blanche worked in an army hospital and for 30 years for two ob-gyn doctors at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. She said being in the medical field made her realize how much blood is needed.
Before Blanche arrived for her donation appointment on November 5th, people were already excited that she was going to be there.
Susan Simpson is a blood donor ambassador who has volunteered for the Red Cross since 2022. She was looking forward to seeing Blanche again after meeting her the last time she donated blood at Freedom Village.
“She was just so lovely. I couldn’t believe how old she was. That she was not on any meds. That she was walking around just fine. Amazing woman. Very very kind and nice.”
Left: Jacki Pitcher has known 100 year old blood donor Blanche McKee for ten years and works at Freedom Village Retirement Community. Jacki and Blanche are both trained nurses. Right: Susan Simpson is a blood donor ambassador who volunteers for the American Red Cross. She was happy to get a chance to talk to 100 year old blood donor Blanche McKee. “She was just lovely,” she said. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
The number of lives potentially saved by Blanche is staggering. A single blood donation can help save more than one life, and it’s the blood on the shelves that helps the most during an emergency.
As a driver for the Red Cross, Stephen Giddings helped bring in the equipment needed to make the Freedom Village blood drive happen. Witnessing Blanche donate blood at 100 years old left him in awe.
“It was just amazing to be able to see that. It was so honorable. She has a really big heart. God bless her soul.”
Blanche used to donate every 56 days, the amount of time that whole blood can be donated safely, about six times a year. Now she does it twice a year when the blood drive is held at Freedom Village.
“Nobody is too old. You keep making blood, new blood, every day.” She plans to keep donating, “As long as I’m able,” she said.
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.
Video – Tony Bruno, a lifelong American Red Cross blood donor from Telford, PA, was the winner of a nationwide giveaway to one lucky Red Cross blood donor that gave during the month of July 2024. All who came to give blood, platelets or plasma July 1-31, 2024, were automatically entered for a chance to win the 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn®.
By Dave Skutnik
Telford is a town on the Bucks County – Montgomery County line of about 5,000 people. And one brand new truck. A big truck. A 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn, to be exact.
Tony Bruno, a lifelong American Red Cross blood donor, was the winner of a nationwide giveaway to one lucky Red Cross blood donor that gave during the month of July 2024. All who came to give blood, platelets or plasma July 1-31, 2024, were automatically entered for a chance to win the 2025 Ram 1500 Big Horn®.
“I was shocked. At first, I didn’t think it was real – that maybe it was a scam. But it’s definitely for real now,” he said as he picked up his new truck at Bergey’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in Souderton.
Tony, now 59, says he’s been donating blood since high school. “Back in high school, I helped recruit my classmates for our school blood drive.”
Tony had recorded 90 donations of his Type O positive blood before coming in for the lucky donation. Type O positive blood is the most transfused blood type and is often in high demand from hospitals for patients in need.
When asked why he donates, Tony said, “It’s the least I can do to give back. It’s so easy. I donate as often as I can, usually at a local church,” Tony added.
His 91st, and so far, “luckiest” donation indeed came at a local church, on July 30 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, not far from his home.
Tony says he looks forward to donating again soon, this time pulling up in his new ride, which he picked up recently at Bergey’s in Souderton.
Eligible individuals are encouraged to schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767).
Visit our Flickr album for photos of Tony picking up his new truck!
Red Cross volunteer Ava Arteaga will travel to the UK to pursue a master’s degree as a Fulbright Scholar. Photo by Bryant Montoya
Our own American Red Cross volunteer Ava Arteaga has a lot to celebrate. A recent graduate of Temple University, she now has become a Fulbright Scholar, the recipient of one of the most prestigious fellowships in the world.
“The application was a year-long process and took hundreds of hours, and I didn’t know if it would amount to the result I wanted. To accomplish something of this magnitude is surreal,” she said.
Ava started volunteering for the Red Cross two years ago at a Sound the Alarm event and found her perfect fit when she became a communications volunteer.
“I enjoy writing blogs because I’m able to write about all kinds of topics. It’s a mixture of education, reporting and sometimes stories about my first-hand experience,” she said.
During her time at Temple, she volunteered as a Blood Program Leader who organized blood drives and fostered a relationship between the Red Cross and Temple’s UNICEF chapter, “establishing a tradition of holding a blood drive each semester.” She said, “This is something I’m very proud of because its impact will persist long after my graduation.”
Although she was nervous at first to donate blood herself, she now is a regular donor, helped by the skilled Red Cross phlebotomists who eased her fears.
“I became a blood donor because I became aware of the blood shortage across the nation and learned how critical blood donations are for helping people with health conditions.”
Red Cross volunteer Ava Arteaga is a regular blood donor and was the Blood Program Leader at Temple University.Photo by Bryant Montoya
Ava’s favorite part about volunteering for the Red Cross is “being able to contribute to the health and safety of our communities. It’s a privilege to play even a small role for a major impact,” she said.
As a Fulbright Scholar, Ava will be moving to the United Kingdom where she will pursue her master’s degree, studying the stigma that people with addiction face in the way they are portrayed by digital news media.
For now, she’s making each day count with her family until the big move. “We have been celebrating by spending as much time together as possible, soaking up our time together before I leave.”
Congratulations Ava! The Red Cross is proud of you!
A tattoo is one of the most personal choices you can make. Using your body as a human canvas is the ultimate form of artistic expression, and the reasons why people decide to get inked vary widely.
July 17th is National Tattoo Day, and despite what you may have heard, in most cases getting a tattoo does not prevent you from donating blood.
Most states regulate tattoo facilities. In those states there is no delay required before donating blood, as long as the establishment uses sterile needles and fresh ink that has not been reused.
Pennsylvania is one of nine states and the District of Columbia that don’t regulate tattoo businesses, which means potential blood donors are required to wait three months after getting a tattoo before giving blood.
We met several blood donors at the recent “I Bleed for Preston and Steve” American Red Cross blood drive that showcased tattoos as unique as their reasons for getting them.
Katy Raiser gives blood at the “I Bleed For Preston & Steve” blood drive on June 14, 2024. Photos by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
Katy Raiser started donating blood in 2009 at a blood drive at her high school. Her dad is a liver transplant survivor who endured a 10-hour surgery and needed blood transfusions during the operation.
“Blood donations on surgeries like that are super important so I try to do my part to help out other people who need it,” she said.
Katy got her first tattoo on her back and now has at least 17, though she said she has lost track and it’s likely more.
“It was kind of a dedication to my mom who passed away when I was young. After that I just got hooked and clearly haven’t stopped ever since.”
On Katie’s left arm, she has an intricate array of tattoos that illustrate art and science. “I’ve kind of been patchworking this one,” she explained.
Pointing to her right arm, she said “I’m doing a Star Wars theme sleeve so I just got Darth Vader recently.” That took nearly 9 hours to complete.
Melvin Williams and Mary Mahoney show off their tattoos after they donated blood at the “I Bleed For Preston & Steve” blood drive. Photo by Elisabeth von Baldas / American Red Cross
Mary Mahoney and her husband Melvin Williams are blood donors who also love tattoos. Showing off a tattoo of skulls on her arm, Mary said, “This one was a gift a friend of mine bought me for Christmas 10, 12 years ago.” She then pointed to her left wrist. “This is a flower my husband got for me for Mother’s Day.”
Melvin has his own reasons for getting tattoos. He said, “I always thought they looked cool. Like bikers – they just look cool. And then it just became a thing. You get a tattoo and it’s like, I want more!”
Blood donor Mitch Powers said he has a “bunch of tattoos,” and they all illustrate sports or family. He pointed out his dinosaur tattoo which represents his three kids. He also has a tattoo that shows he’s a Phillies fan.
Mitch said getting tattoos doesn’t really hurt that much but something that hurts even less is donating blood.
“This is definitely ten thousand times less painful than the tattoos,” he said, gesturing to the blood drive behind him.
Mitch Powers gives blood at the “I Bleed for Preston & Steve” blood drive on June 14, 2024. Photo by Jenny Farley / American Red Cross
If you are interested in getting a tattoo, Katy Raiser offered this advice. “It’s really not as scary as people think. If it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, there’s plenty of amazing artists” who are out there and ready to create.
Now, you may be wondering why you have to wait three months in unregulated states to donate blood after getting a tattoo. It’s because of concerns over transmitting Hepatitis. All blood donations are screened for Hepatitis B and C through several tests, but it takes time to properly detect the viruses. People with Hepatitis should not donate blood.
The three-month delay also applies to people who apply their own tattoos, get tattoos in prison or who get tattoos in states with regulations but from unregulated artists or facilities.
Whether you have tattoos or not, the American Red Cross needs your blood and platelet donations this summer. All blood types are needed, especially type O.
You can sign up to give blood or platelets at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-Red Cross, or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
Editor’s Note: Each year on June 14, the American Red Cross joins the World Health Organization (WHO) and blood collection organizations around the world to celebrate World Blood Donor Day. In its 20th year, the day provides an opportunity to thank blood donors across the world for their life-saving donations over the years and honor the profound impact on both patients and donors.
Dan and Michelle Levy with their daughters Brooke and Marissa. Submitted photo
By Maureen Zug
Several weeks ago, I met Michelle Levy, whose husband Dan was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, a highly unusual cancer for someone in their early 40s. Michelle is on a mission to “pay it forward” by giving blood herself and encouraging others to donate.
While many patients are not diagnosed until they are well in the advanced stages of the disease, Dan was fortunate that the same gastroenterologist who treats his celiac disease caught the cancer early. At the time of his diagnosis, his young daughters were ages 6 and 3.
Treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic
A course of cancer treatment for anyone is fraught with uncertainty and stressors on family life. Michelle characterized Dan as a “loving, nurturing, supportive, person” in his roles as father to their daughters, great husband and dedicated educator to his grades 3 and 4 special education students.
Dan was diagnosed just prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and started his treatments in January 2020. He alternated his treatment sessions between Doylestown Hospital and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Due to pandemic restrictions, Dan sadly spent many of his treatments and hospital stays alone. Michelle and the girls were limited in the interactions that they could have with the outside world due to Dan’s suppressed immune system.
Dan underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant. The stem cell transplant was done using his own processed cells. However, the blood, plasma and platelet components that Dan received during his treatment came from generous blood donors who rolled up a sleeve to give at mobile blood drives and Red Cross blood donation centers. Blood components are essential to the treatment of cancer patients and are a life-giving gift!
Michelle’s hope for the future and an important message
As is the case surrounding most cancers, the first remission is the most important with swift movements of gains in cancer research and medical technology. While Dan’s cancer is currently in remission, mantel cell lymphoma is currently classified as incurable and can reoccur, requiring intensive treatment. Michelle, Dan and their daughters, now ages 10 and 7, remain hopeful that Dan will remain in good health.
Michelle encourages all those who are healthy and able to donate blood. “Even if you do not have money to donate, you can still be philanthropic by donating blood,” she said, adding that the Red Cross has great after-donation snacks! She describes her “intentional, philanthropic” motivations for donating blood to the Red Cross as “paying it forward” on behalf of her husband, who is unable to donate. As a Human Resource Manager in her workplace of more than 1,000 employees, she is spreading the word of the value of donating blood.
All Red Cross blood donors are notified of where their blood donation is sent. Michelle recently found out that her latest donation went to West Virginia, where it was most needed. She liked the human connection that this message carried with it.
In closing out our chat, I thanked Michelle for sharing her family’s Red Cross story. It certainly was inspirational! I hope that she has motivated you, too, to become a blood donor. It does not take much to be hero to a patient.
To schedule an appointment to donate, visit RedCrossBlood,org, call 1-800-REDCROSS or download our free Blood Donor App.
