LEHIGH VALLEY, PA \u2013 Officials from Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC) and the Diocese of Allentown today announced impressive results from the second annual Saint Januarius Blood Drive, with participating parishes boosting blood donations by 40% compared to last year\u2019s inaugural effort.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, we set out to exceed last year\u2019s blood donation results, and the Diocese of Allentown made it happen,\u201d said Monika Wiegers, Director of Donor Relations. \u201cBetween September 19 and December 16 of this year, an amazing 821 blood donations were collected as part of the second annual Saint Januarius campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wiegers added that 63 Diocesan churches and schools were represented in 2025, an increase of 17 from the previous year.<\/p>\n
The blood drive campaign was held in honor of Saint Januarius, the patron saint of blood banks. Wiegers noted that both dates are of special significance.\u00a0 \u201cSeptember 19 is the Feast Day of Saint Januarius,\u201d she explained, \u201cwhile December 16 is one of the dates when the miracle of his blood liquefaction is traditionally observed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blood donors providing their parish\u2019s Blood Drive Sponsor Code at the time of their appointment received a Saint Januarius medallion blessed by The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown. A prayer card was also made available for those donors who received a medallion last year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m so grateful to Miller-Keystone and Diocese of Allentown staffs,\u201d said Bishop Schlert. \u201cOur parishioners responded beautifully to our initiative, and I\u2019m very proud of them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMiller-Keystone Blood Center was privileged to partner with the Diocese of Allentown again this year to save lives in our community. We are very grateful for their generosity and support of our critically important mission,\u201d said Wiegers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the Saint Januarius campaign brings a fun and exciting spirit of competition, I think it is always important to note that blood donation is a year\u2011round lifesaving act and we encourage everyone to make giving blood a habit throughout the year,\u201d added Wiegers.<\/p>\n
\u201cApproximately 350 blood donations are needed every day to help cancer patients, accident victims, premature babies, and others receiving lifesaving care at our community hospitals,\u201d she said, encouraging eligible blood donors to schedule a blood donation at any of MKBC\u2019s regional donor centers, located in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Pittston and Reading.<\/p>\n
In order to donate blood, individuals must be at least 16* years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be feeling healthy. A full list of eligibility guidelines can be found on the MKBC website at\u00a0GIVEaPINT.org<\/u>. Appointments can be made by calling 800-B-A-DONOR, (223-6667) ext. 2, online at\u00a0GIVEaPINT.org<\/u>, via the MKBC App (available for download at Google Play or the Apple Store), or by scanning the QR code.<\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: LEHIGH VALLEY, PA \u2013 Officials from Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC) and the Diocese of Allentown today announced impressive results from the second annual Saint Januarius Blood Drive, with participating parishes … Continue reading DIOCESE OF ALLENTOWN PARISHES EXCEED FIRST YEAR RESULTS IN SECOND ANNUAL SAINT JANUARIUS BLOOD DRIVE CAMPAIGN<\/span>
\n(* parental consent required for 16-year-old blood donors)<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMarie Clemens<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"