On Thursday, October 28, Reading Hospital will host a blood drive for Miller-Keystone Blood Center. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and all 41 appointments have been filled. Miller-Keystone, and blood centers across the US, continue to face critical shortages due to increased demand and decrease in donors because of the pandemic. Individuals interested in donating can schedule appointments at GIVEaPINT.org or by calling 1-800-B-A-DONOR. Each pint of blood donated has the potential of saving up to three lives.
“Miller-Keystone Blood Center is the primary blood supplier for Reading Hospital, and we thank them for their ongoing efforts,” said Therese Sucher, Interim President and CEO at Reading Hospital and Tower Health Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
“I’d also like to thank our team members who made an appointment to make the selfless donation to help save the lives of the patients in our communities. Blood donations are essential for our critically ill and injured patients. During the month of September, Reading Hospital transfused 645 units of blood, 152 units of plasma, and 83 units of platelets.”
Rami Nemeh, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Miller-Keystone Blood Center, added, “Miller-Keystone Blood Center supports 28 hospitals in the region and currently only has between one and two days of inventory that can be quickly decimated with one major trauma. Approximately 450 blood donors are needed every day to meet the demand of local hospitals to treat accident victims, premature babies, cancer patients, and others. Each day in the United States, 43,000 units of blood is used.”
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be 16 years of age or older and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. If you have additional questions regarding donation eligibility, visit the Miller-Keystone website or call 1-800-B-A-DONOR.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, Tower Health Transplant Institute, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians and providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for five consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.