Travel back in time at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Blood Drive

MANHEIM, Pa. — Donors are invited to give blood with a colorful cast of medieval characters at the annual American Red Cross and Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Blood Drive on Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13. Appointments are available between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days on the Faire’s grounds at 2275 Lebanon Road in Manheim. Visit redcrossblood.org/PARenFaire2017 for information.

 

Presenting donors will receive a free admission ticket to the Renaissance Faire, which can be used any weekend in August and September. As a special thank you, individuals who come out to give blood or platelets with the Red Cross July 26 through Aug. 31 will be emailed a $5 Target eGiftCard™.*

 

Costumes are encouraged at the blood drive, but donors must bring photo ID and should plan their costumes accordingly.

 

“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.”

 

Since 2006, Red Cross blood drives with the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire have collected more than 3,000 pints of blood.

 

“This blood drive comes when the Red Cross is facing a critical blood shortage and is issuing an emergency call for donors of all types to give now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need,” said Alana Mauger, communications manager, Red Cross Northeastern Pennsylvania Blood Services Region. “Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.”

 

Blood cannot be manufactured. Healthy, volunteer blood donors are the only source of blood and platelets for those in need of transfusions. Volunteer blood donors of all types—particularly O negative, A negative and B negative are needed to help maintain a stable blood supply this summer.

 

Appointments for Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire Blood Drive can be made by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org and using sponsor code PARenFaire. To learn more about the drive, visit redcrossblood.org/PARenFaire2017.

 

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, 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.

 

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.