{"id":151011,"date":"2026-09-10T22:12:49","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:12:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=151011"},"modified":"2026-09-10T22:12:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T02:12:49","slug":"diocese-of-allentown-announces-third-annual-diocese-wide-blood-drive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevalleyledger.com\/?p=151011","title":{"rendered":"DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN ANNOUNCES THIRD ANNUAL DIOCESE-WIDE BLOOD DRIVE"},"content":{"rendered":"

LEHIGH VALLEY, PA –\u00a0Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC)<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0Diocese of Allentown<\/strong>\u00a0have announced that\u00a0the 2026 Diocese-wide blood drive will take place beginning on September 19, and continuing through Dec. 16,<\/strong>\u00a0at all MKBC fixed-site locations.<\/p>\n

The launch date of this third annual campaign coincides with the September 19 Feast Day of Saint Januarius, Patron Saint of Blood Banks, and offers parishioners throughout the Diocese a meaningful opportunity to put their faith into action through the lifesaving gift of blood donation.<\/p>\n

“Blood cannot be manufactured or replaced,” Bishop Schlert said. “It can only come from individuals willing to give of themselves for others.”<\/p>\n

Over the past two years, parishioners across the Diocese of Allentown have generously responded. In 2025, the campaign collected 821 units of blood, a 40% increase over 2024, with 63 parishes and schools throughout the Diocese participating.<\/p>\n

According to MKBC\u2019s Monika Kotlarska-Gross, Director of Donor Relations, this year\u2019s campaign comes at a critical time.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe United States is in the midst of the most critical blood shortage in our nation\u2019s history,\u201d Kotlarska-Gross said. \u201cMany blood centers across the country, including Miller-Keystone Blood Center, are operating with only a one-to-two-day inventory of blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to collect approximately 350 blood donations every day to care for individuals undergoing cancer treatments, accident victims, surgical patients, premature babies, and others in need of lifesaving transfusions at our regional hospitals,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

Blood donors who provide their parish\u2019s Blood Drive Sponsor Code at the time of their appointment will receive a Saint Januarius medallion blessed by The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown. Prayer cards or magnets will also be available for donors who previously received a medallion or who would prefer a prayer card or magnet instead.<\/p>\n

Beginning Saturday, September 19, blood or platelet donations may be made at the following MKBC locations:<\/p>\n