Parishes across the Diocese of Allentown are encouraging the faithful to donate blood as the Diocese partners with Miller-Keystone Blood Center to ease a critical blood shortage in the region.
On Sept. 18, Bishop Alfred Schlert blessed the St. Januarius medallions each parishioner will receive when they arrive at the blood center to donate during the drive.
The blood drive began Sept. 19, St. Januarius’ Feast Day, and runs through Dec. 16, one of the three dates each year when a relic of the Saint’s dried blood miraculously liquifies.
“I’m glad that our Catholic community can be a partner with Miller-Keystone,” said Bishop Schlert, just before he blessed the medallions at the blood center’s Hamilton Street location in Allentown.
Noting the “great divisions” in our society these days, Bishop Schlert asked people to think of blood as something that unites us all.
“Blood is a gift from God,” he said. “When we need blood, it doesn’t matter whether the donor was a Democrat or Republican, a friend or even an enemy. That blood is going to give you life.”
Rami Nemeh, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Miller-Keystone Blood Center, thanked the people of the Diocese in advance for their donations “to make sure we have the gift of life.”
Tom Groves, a parishioner of St. Thomas More, Allentown, spoke at the blessing ceremony about his daughter’s recent serious illness, and how donations from her friends, parish, and the community helped ease a blood shortage at the time. Sophia, now 25 and fully recovered, urged everyone to consider blood donations during the diocesan drive.
Bishop Schlert noted that he first gave blood when he was a seminarian. Then, before he left the blood center, he made his own appointment to roll up his sleeve and donate.
Blood and platelet donations can be made at the following locations of Miller-Keystone Blood Center:
- Allentown: 1255 S. Cedar Crest Blvd, Suite 1300.
- Allentown: Five City Center, 740 Hamilton St, Suite 120.
- Bethlehem: 1465 Valley Center Parkway.
- Easton: 3765 Nicholas St, Suite B.
- Pittston: 400 Route 315, Suite E.
- Reading: 2745 Leiscz's Bridge Road (for GPS, use: 047 Old Bernville Rd).
- Ewing/Trenton (NJ): 400 Main Boulevard East, Suite 601.
Click this link to choose your location and sign up https://www.giveapint.org/event/januarius-blood-drive/ or download the Miller-Keystone app at Google Play or the Apple Store). If you prefer to make an appointment by phone, call Miller-Keystone at 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667) ext. 2.
By Paul Wirth
