Philadelphia residents have a new way to help save lives with the American Red Cross. The new, state-of-the-art Philadelphia Blood Donation Center, just across the hall from its former location, is part of a multi-phase renovation of the 245,000 square foot facility at 700 Spring Garden St.

The expanded donation center opened on Feb. 2 to whole blood, Power Red and platelet donors. Robert Klutz of Lafayette Hill was the first platelet donor through the doors when the facility opened. He’s been giving platelets since 1975 and has made over 160 donations over the years.

Robert wasn’t expecting a new donation center when he arrived that morning, but he was pleased to learn he was the first platelet donor. As he enjoyed snacks in the canteen area after donating, he assured us he’ll be back soon.

“Now that I’m back in the groove, I donate every 4 weeks,” he said.

Platelets are tiny cells in the blood that form clots and stop bleeding. They have a shelf life of only five days, making the demand for donations constant and critical. Platelet donors are able to relax and watch videos or television during the two- to three- hour donation.

Angela Liem of Philadelphia made her very first platelet donation on Feb. 2, arriving shortly after Robert. She had only recently started donating blood again and decided to give platelets a try.

“I got an email saying there’s a need for [platelets], and I had the time, so I decided to try it,” she said, adding that it went well and she’ll be donating again.

Donors with types O, A negative and B negative blood who meet specific height, weight and hemoglobin requirements are encouraged to make a Power Red donation – a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely returned to the donor.

Tyler Baldo of Philadelphia was excited to be the first Power Red donor in the center’s doors on Friday. Despite the rainy weather outside, Tyler found the new Blood Donation Center to be bright and welcoming.

The Philadelphia Blood Donation is Center is open 7 days per week, 365 days per year. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:45 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Thursday, 10:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions and Specialized Donor Program

Next to the Blood Donation Center, separate areas for our Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions, including a specialized Leukopak donor program, and clinical apheresis are also now open.

The Red Cross Cell and Gene Therapy Solutions team plays a key role in the research, development and production of treatments. Services included autologous procedures, where patients donate their own cells for transfusion prior to medical procedure, and allogeneic collections, where healthy donors give cells for transfusion to another person.

One of the solutions offered is the Specialized Donor Program, where donors are compensated for providing mononuclear cells – immune cells that can help patients fight infections and disease. These cells can also manufactured into products known as Leukopaks, or white blood cells, used for product development, testing, training and other functions.

Individuals wishing to learn more about the Specialized Donor Program may call 1-833-595-2214.

The Clinical Apheresis Donation Center is currently being used to support patients with stage 4 prostate cancer who require an apheresis collection for an FDA-approved drug therapy collection. (Apheresis is the removal of one or more blood components, like plasma, platelets or white blood cells, and transfusion of the remaining blood back into the donor.) The center is also used for any in-house apheresis collection to support Red Cross Cell and Gene Therapy trials.

PHOTO: Adam Stockett