Pictured at the West Chester Blood Donation Center ribbon cutting are (from left) Ashley Gagné, West Goshen Board of Supervisors Chair; Helen Munizza, Red Cross Regional Donor Services Executive; Katrell Patterson, Red Cross Fixed Site Collections Manager; Lynn Cohen, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter Executive Director; Emily Gindele, West Whiteland Volunteer Fire Fighter; Jennifer Graham, Red Cross Southeastern PA CEO; and Carly Spross, Red Cross Delaware Valley Chapter Board Chair. Photo by Donn Greenberg / American Red Cross
Earlier this month, officials from Chester County and West Goshen Township joined the American Red Cross to celebrate the official grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new West Chester Blood Donation Center. The Red Cross began collecting blood and platelet donations at the site on June 14.
Located at 1065 Andrew Drive in West Chester, the new donor center replaces the location previously open on Gay Street.
West Whiteland volunteer firefighter Emily Gindele helped cut the ceremonial ribbon after sharing her story during the short program. Multiple blood transfusions helped save Emily’s life after she sustained catastrophic injuries in a car accident that killed her boyfriend Colin. She credits the generosity of blood donors for making her recovery possible.
“The trauma doctors raced against the clock, performing emergency surgery, giving me a blood transfusion, removing my spleen, and stitching me up. I was on a ventilator for over a week. Without the blood transfusion, I would have died. That blood gave me another chance at life,” she shared during her remarks.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs lifesaving blood. As new cancer cases rise — by an estimated 36% by 2040 — so will the demand for blood products. Remarkably, 25% of the U.S. blood supply goes to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Unfortunately, work and other factors have impacted when and where people give blood, creating new challenges we must overcome.
To meet the growing and changing needs for blood products, the West Chester site is one of four blood donation centers the Red Cross is building and/or renovating in Southeastern Pennsylvania. These strategically located facilities will provide more consistent and convenient locations for blood and platelet donors to give.
Patients – and their families rallying behind them – are counting on the generosity of volunteer blood donors to share their health. If you’re eligible and feeling well, please make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
Find a drive and schedule a blood donation appointment today.
Your time and talent can make a real difference in people’s lives. Discover the role that's right for you and join us today!
