SCHWENKSVILLE PA – A community mobile blood drive is scheduled for Thursday (Aug. 8, 2024) in Lower Frederick Township.
The drive will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the meeting room of the township Municipal Building, 53 Spring Mount Rd. Free parking for the event is available in the building lot, immediately near its front entrance.
It represents the township’s annual honor to Zieglerville resident Travis Reiter. Reiter was severely wounded December 2022 as he attempted to stop an active shooter in his workplace. In the successful efforts to save his life, first responders and medical staffs relied on 23 units of donated blood products.
Reiter was subsequently honored by the township Board of Supervisors, its police department, and the state Legislature (the House and Senate, separately) for his heroic acts.
Meeting the ‘constant reality’ of demand
“If it wasn’t for people generously donating blood during drives such as this, Travis’ story could have had a very different outcome,” the township explains. The blood drive, hosted by Lower Frederick, is being conducted by the Bethlehem PA-based Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
The event helps to meet what Miller-Keystone calls the “constant reality” of demand for all types blood and blood products. However, donations of blood types AB-, A-, B-, O-, and O+ are in shorter supply and of higher need.
Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made online, or by calling 800-223-6667 toll-free.
If it’s your first time …
Never donated blood before? It’s quick and easy, but some preparation helps. See an online guide created by the Miller-Keystone Blood Center to get you ready, and make the blood donation process comfortable.
Top photo by serezniy on Deposit Photos, used by Travels With The Post under license
Reiter photo by Travels With The Post