Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MANHEIM, PA — Help the American Red Cross recover from an emergency blood shortage by donning your favorite medieval costume and giving blood with a colorful cast of characters. Join the fun at the annual Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire blood drive on Saturday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 11 between 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. each day on the Faire’s grounds at 2275 Lebanon Road in Manheim.
Appointments are strongly encouraged; walk-ins will be accommodated as time/space allow. To schedule an appointment to donate blood, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS and enter sponsor code PARenFaire.
All presenting donors will receive one free admission ticket to the Renaissance Faire, which can be used any weekend in August and September. The ticket is not redeemable for cash.
As a special thank you, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 29 through Aug. 29, 2019, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)
Costumes are encouraged at the blood drive, but donors are reminded to bring photo ID and should plan their costumes accordingly. Guests are encouraged to share photos and social media posts using the #RoyalBloodPA hashtag.
“While our guests come here to enjoy themselves and escape to another time and place for a little while, we know that hospital patients can’t take a vacation from needing blood and platelets.” said Candace Smith, director of sales and communications, Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. “This blood drive is an important part of our event each summer and is our way to give back to the community and to offer our attendees an opportunity to do so as well.”
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces an emergency need for blood donors to give now to help avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients this summer. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. More donations are immediately needed to help replenish the blood supply.
Since 2006, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire blood drive has collected more than 3,400 units of blood, which has helped up to 10,000+ patients.
How to donate blood
For more information and to make an appointment to donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors of all blood types are needed. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in Pennsylvania), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online or on a mobile device, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.