Governor Tom Wolf signed a proclamation designating Sept. 5 as Blood Donation Day in Pennsylvania – part of a national Blood Donation Week (Sept. 1-7) effort to encourage eligible donors to give blood around Labor Day.
For the sixth consecutive year, media personality Dr. Daliah Wachs, who hosts a syndicated radio program on GCN and iHeartRadio, has worked to enlist all 50 states in promoting blood donation. As part of her show, she covers various medical topics, including the importance of blood donation. After hearing about an emergency need for more blood donors, she decided to establish a National Blood Donation Day, strategically timed right after the Labor Day holiday, when blood donations often decline due to busy holiday schedules.
Each year, Dr. Daliah asks state governors to join her by proclaiming the service day in their home states.
“Giving blood is a wonderful way to serve your community and help patients at the same time,” said Guy Triano, Regional CEO for American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania. “With the Red Cross recovering from a critically low blood supply during much of the summer, now is the perfect time to give.”
As a thank-you, those who come to give Sept. 3-7 will receive a new, 16-ounce Red Cross campfire mug, while supplies last. In addition, donors who come to give throughout the month of September will receive a free haircut coupon by email from Sport Clips Haircuts.
Blood and platelet donations are needed every day for patients with many serious medical conditions. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease may all need blood.
To learn more about blood donation, including eligibility information, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you were deferred from donating in the past, you may be able to donate again.