Red Cross offers new opportunity to save lives in Chester County

By Dave Skutnik

Exterior of the new American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in West Chester. Photo by Dave Skutnik / American Red Cross

People wanting to make a lifesaving difference in Chester County have the chance to donate blood and platelets at a new West Chester American Red Cross Blood Donation Center. The new donation center is now collecting blood and platelet donations for patients, such as those battling cancer, accident victims, transplant recipients and those living with sickle cell disease.

The new blood donation center is located at 1065 Andrew Drive. When turning into the parking lot, donors should turn left and head around the left side of the building. Parking and the entrance are both located in the rear. This new donor center replaces the location previously open on Gay Street.

Opening day Collections staff and management at the new West Chester Blood Donation Center on June 14, 2024. Photo by Dave Skutnik / American Red Cross

Having a readily available blood supply is vital for patients whose survival depends on transfusions.

“From mothers experiencing childbirth complications to those facing trauma situations in the emergency room, many of us may be connected to someone who has relied on lifesaving blood products,” said Jennifer Graham, Regional CEO for the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania. “The Red Cross is pleased to offer donors this new opportunity to help provide hope, healing and access to treatment for patients in need.”

Platelet donor Mike Erdlen was the first through the doors of the new West Chester Blood Donation Center on June 14, 2024. Photo by Dave Skutnik / American Red Cross

Donating blood is essential to community health, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need. By making an appointment to give blood or platelets at the West Chester American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, donors can feel good knowing that they may be helping patients not only in their community, but also their family and friends across the nation.

“Big, bright and beautiful,” is how platelet donor Mike Erdlen described the new West Chester Blood Donation Center. He was the first donor to walk through the doors of the new center when it opened on Friday, June 14, 2024. June 14 was also World Blood Donor Day, a day to thank voluntary blood donors for their lifesaving gifts. The Red Cross thanks donors like Mike, who has made more than 350 donations in his lifetime. Mike makes the trip from Newtown Square to West Chester for his regular appointments and is excited that the open space offers the chance “to see all the great staff and volunteers here.”

Platelet donor Dianne McNally was among the first to donate at the new West Chester Blood Donation Center on June 14, 2024. Photo by Dave Skutnik / American Red Cross

Platelet donor Dianne McNally of Paoli was surprised and excited to hear that she was one of the first to arrive at the new donation center on June 14. “It was easy to get to. It’s beautiful. Everything is going very smooth,” said Dianne, who has been donating blood for more than 20 years.

Platelets are the clotting portion of blood and are needed for many reasons, but they are primarily given to cancer patients. These tiny cells have a very short shelf life – just five days from the time they are donated – so there is a constant, often critical, need for new and current donors to give to keep up with hospital demand for platelets.

In addition to the West Chester Blood Donation Center, individuals will also continue to be able to give blood at Red Cross blood drives across Chester County.

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Slideshow of West Chester Blood Donation Center interior. Photos by Dave Skutnik / American Red Cross

World Blood Donor Day: Generosity and gratitude motivate Michelle Levy to ‘pay it forward’

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.

The lasting legacy of two best friends: Saving lives through donating blood

By Jenny Farley

The luckiest among us have a once in a lifetime friendship. For Dominic Chilberti, that friend was Chris. “Chris was everybody’s best friend. He was loved by everyone,” said Dominic.

They met at four years old and what began as children turned into decades of joy and camaraderie. Kindergarten, eight years of Catholic school, some high school and then as often happens in life, a separation of physical distance when they both moved out of their hometown.

In the 1980s, before smartphones offered Facetime and texting, Dominic and Chris managed to stay in contact the old fashioned way, “over the phone.”

For years, those phone calls ranged from 10 minutes to two hours. The talks cemented a friendship that ushered both men through the triumphs and failures of life, with a lot of laughter.

“Chris didn’t laugh at many of my jokes but when he did he had the best uncontrollable laugh and it would make my day.”

Then came news neither was expecting. Doctors told Chris he had brain cancer. Chris began a fight to live that led to treatment, surgery and a critical need for blood transfusions.

Throughout his illness, Dominic described Chris as the man everyone wanted to help. “Chris was the type of person that had so many friends it was actually hard getting a chance to help him.”

Chris fought hard for nearly three years but died in March of 2022. Mired in grief, Dominic wanted to do something and remembered what Chris had told him.

“Chris and I talked about how I wished I could do more and he mentioned donating blood. They were always telling him they needed blood donors.” So, in memory of his friend, Dominic began to give.

“I remember being so frustrated that all I could do is sit by and watch my friend wither away. After his passing this frustration grew. This gave me some purpose in helping in his memory.”

Dominic didn’t stop after donating once. In 2022, he donated at least 27 units. He started with whole blood and then moved on to platelets. He said he donates “as often as the requirements allow me. I continue to do this in the hopes that anyone in treatment or surgery in need of blood never goes without.”

Some people may be hesitant to give a lifesaving blood donation, but Dominic offered reassurance.

“For most people it is fear of the unknown. It can be intimidating before you actually do it, but once you have you will laugh at yourself for waiting so long. If you can survive a blood test, you can donate blood. It really isn’t that different and it doesn’t take much time.”

Dominic wants to recruit others to donate blood. He also plans to keep donating himself and when he does he will always think of Chris.

“I was very lucky to have had him in my life.”

For more information on how to donate blood and to schedule an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Why blood donations matter

By Jackie Faiman

Nearly half of all donated platelet donations go to cancer patients.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and at the American Red Cross we add our voices to promote awareness of the impact of this disease. It is estimated that one in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. In 2022, a projected 287,500 new cases will be diagnosed in the U.S alone, where the disease is the second leading cause of cancer death in women.

A diagnosis of breast cancer, overwhelming on its own, can trigger prolonged stress and grief, added to the challenge of seeking and undergoing treatment. Cancer patients benefit from a network of support. Whether or not someone close to you is struggling with breast cancer, you can still support the broader community of cancer patients in one key way: by donating blood. 

Blood and platelet donations are important to breast–and all–cancer patients. Why? Cancer and its treatment can cause anemia (low red blood count levels), and chemotherapy can damage bone marrow and cause a drop in platelets. Both of these conditions are commonly addressed through blood transfusions. Thus, having access to adequate blood supply through transfusions can directly improve the health of cancer patients. 

To find a blood drive near you, visit RedCrossBlood.org or download the Blood Donor App. With the App, you can actually track where your blood is sent.

To learn more about resources for breast cancer treatment and support services, visit the links below:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Susan G. Komen
• National Breast Cancer Foundation
• American Cancer Society

Since 1991, the National Breast Cancer Foundation has worked to help those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. The NBCF advocates for early screening and, through a network of medical facilities nationwide, provides free mammograms and diagnostic services for women in need through its National Mammography Program.

Blood donations needed as cancer patients resume care after challenging year

The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up this June to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time and help ensure loved ones have the strength and support they need as they undergo cancer treatment.

According to the American Cancer Society, many patient visits and procedures were forced to delay or cancel early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. With procedures resuming, blood donations are critical for cancer treatments. Unfortunately, the Red Cross is seeing fewer blood and platelet donors give as the nation begins to climb out of this pandemic. This downturn comes at a time when the Red Cross continues to see strong demand for blood products − including platelets − by hospitals, causing concern for the sufficiency of the blood supply this month and throughout the summer.

Red Cross currently has an emergency need for eligible donors in the Greater Philadelphia area to make an appointment now to give platelets to ensure critical patient needs are met. Platelets, the clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment, must be transfused within five days of donation and, therefore, are always in great demand.

“Many cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, will have a need for blood products during treatment,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “When someone donates blood or platelets, they may not only help prevent life-threatening bleeding that can cause stroke or relieve some symptoms, like shortness of breath and headaches, but also give patients and their families the time and hope they need to fight back.”

Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the need for blood products. About six blood products are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the U.S. give blood. It is vital that more people donate blood and platelets regularly to meet that need.

“The need for blood in cancer treatments is an important and untold story,” said Howard Byck, senior vice president of corporate and sports alliances, American Cancer Society. “The American Cancer Society is excited to be working with the Red Cross on Give Blood to Give Time. Through this partnership, we want people to know there are multiple ways they can help and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients and their families.”

Cancer takes so much, but you can help

In August 2016, Myel Bowers-Smith received an unexpected and life-changing medical diagnosis. What she thought was an infection from a mosquito bite was actually stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer. The cancer was a very rare and aggressive breast carcinoma that spread from her breast to her lymph nodes on the left side of her body. “I just knew something wasn’t right with my body,” she said.

Bowers-Smith was determined to keep a positive attitude even when her treatments left her feeling sick for days at a time, unable to eat and extremely fatigued. “I received five different chemotherapy treatments and steroids. I also received multiple plasma and platelet transfusions. I would be in the hospital bed for hours receiving treatments,” she said. 

After months of treatment, Bowers-Smith was told her cancer was in remission in February 2017. “I was more than excited because I survived. I won, and it was time to get my life back! This couldn’t defeat me,” she said. 

Bowers-Smith recognizes the role of blood products in her recovery and now encourages others to give. “Everyone needs someone, and this is your time to help someone who needs your blood or platelets. Be a blessing,” she said. “Eligible donors, you have something good – which is your blood. A pint of blood can help save lives, and you never know if you or someone you love would need donated blood or platelet products.”

To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org. As a special thank-you, those who come to donate through June 13 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.