HAZLETON, Pa. — The Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and Penn State Hazleton THON are teaming up with the American Red Cross to host their annual blood drive on Monday, March 28. The drive was postponed from Feb. 4, due to bad weather. The rescheduled drive will be held in the Evelyn Graham Academic Building at Penn State Hazleton, 76 University Drive, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For each presenting donor, the Red Cross will donate $4 to Penn State Hazleton THON to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital. Presenting donors will also receive a $2 donation to Four Diamonds credited to the THON organization of their choice.
The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON for short, is the world’s largest student-run philanthropy, raising money for the families of pediatric cancer patients at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. This past year, THON raised more than $13.7 million.
Thanks to our partners at Fanatics, donors can score a $10 e-gift card when they come to give blood, platelets or plasma in March. They will also automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles, California. (Terms apply -- visit this link for more information.) Presenting donors will also receive a free Red Cross t-shirt.
The blood drive is open to the public. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged. Visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code “PSUHAZLETON” or call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule an appointment.
Blood drive safety
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions — including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status — have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.
Save time during donation
Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. With RapidPass, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), 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.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, 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 deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or on Twitter at @RedCross.
