PA, NJ governors proclaim Sept. 5 National Blood Donation Day

Dr. Daliah invites community to give during national initiative

Sept. 5 is National Blood Donation Day. The American Red Cross invites the community to help save lives at blood drives planned the week of National Blood Donation Day, as proclaimed by Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. For the third consecutive year, media personality Dr. Daliah Wachs has worked to enlist all 50 states in promoting blood donation.

Dr. Daliah, who hosts a syndicated radio program on iHeart Radio, speaks to her listeners weekly about various medical topics and understands why it’s important to have a robust blood supply. After hearing about an emergency need for more donors, she decided to establish a National Blood Donation Day and ask each state governor to join her by proclaiming the service day in their home state. 

“Giving blood is a wonderful way to serve your community and help patients at the same time,” said Alana Mauger, communications manager, for the Red Cross Penn Jersey and Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services regions. “With the Red Cross recovering from a critically low blood supply during much of the summer, now is the perfect time to give.”   

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.