The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region officially opened its new headquarters with a two-part celebration and ribbon cutting on March 5, 2025.

Already home to Biomedical Services for more than 30 years, the newly renovated Spring Garden Campus now incorporates Red Cross Humanitarian Services work – Disaster Cycle Services, Training Services, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services – under one roof at 700 Chestnut St. in Philadelphia.

“Right from this building, we lead with heart and hope,” Red Cross Regional CEO Jennifer Graham shared during the ceremony. “Our commitment is community and presence is our promise.”

That commitment was on display Wednesday when partners from across the region joined local and Northeast division Red Crossers to commemorate the opening.

Representing the City of Philadelphia, Dominick Morales, director of the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management (OEM), said the Red Cross is not only a partner, but a “physical pillar” in the city.

“This new space embodies your commitment by providing a base of operations for safety training to respond to disasters and catastrophes and for blood donation. And unfortunately, Philadelphia and Southeastern Pennsylvania are no stranger to needing those services daily,” he said.

Morales added that the campus “stands as a symbol that service and volunteerism are important because in times of need, we truly need one another.”

Representing the Philadelphia Fire Department, Deputy Commissioner Gustav Bauman recalled being in an older iteration of the very same Red Cross building 30 years ago on his first day as a firefighter.

“In this building, you’ve provided decades of partnership and service to our whole community,” he said. “Through the application of science, compassion and action, you have exemplified what is success in a community.”

Wrapping up his remarks, Bauman thanked the Red Cross.

“I know that I speak on behalf of the almost 3,700 hearts that make up the Philadelphia Fire Department that we can’t do this – could never have done this – without you.”

While much Red Cross disaster work happens outside of the building, Biomedical Services has been serving the Greater Philadelphia community and beyond from Spring Garden Street for more than 30 years.

Several national Red Cross laboratories are unique to Philadelphia and highlight the facility’s state-of-the-art technology. Here, scientists and technicians solve complex immunohematology and platelet transfusion cases; help hospital partners find lifesaving rare blood through the American Rare Donor Program; use molecular testing to match blood at a genetic level; and perform specialized testing for transplants.

The Spring Garden Campus also includes a new, larger blood donation center with private health history rooms and improved reception and recovery areas. And thanks to evolving technology, the building now has two specialized donation centers that support clinical apheresis and cellular therapy treatments for seriously ill patients.

“Our new donor centers ensure that every blood and platelet donor who walks through our doors has a welcoming, positive experience,” said Dr. Shraddha Babariya, executive director of Red Cross Laboratory Services. “A positive donor experience means donors come back, and repeat donations save more lives.”

Representatives from Red Cross corporate partners West Pharmaceutical Services and Cencora rounded out the evening’s speakers.

“What a fantastic facility! You can feel the passion towards helping the local communities, not just here in Philadelphia, but beyond,” said Eric Snow, CEO of West Pharmaceutical Services, which hosts blood drives across the U.S. and supports local disaster responses and the Red Cross sickle cell initiative.

“We’re honored to have our name in the lobby, which is so close to where we started 100 years ago just several blocks from here. But more importantly, our purpose at West is to improve patient lives, and our partnership with American Red Cross is simply a partnership of common purpose,” he shared.

Like Snow, Nicole Gordon, director of community impact for Cencora and program director for the Cencora Impact Foundation, said her organization’s work with the Red Cross “is grounded in our purpose.” Cencora sponsored the new Revolution Conference Room by supporting Red Cross International Services, as well as hosting blood drives and facilitating a Service to the Armed Forces kit build.

“We’re united in our responsibility to create healthier futures, and for us, I couldn’t think of a better way to do that than to partner with the Red Cross,” she said.

Visit our website to learn more about the Spring Garden Campus renovation along with building campaign and recognition opportunities. Check out our Flickr albums for photos from the day and evening events. Click here to watch news coverage from the grand opening.

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- Written by Alana Mauger