Undergraduate Admissions

Gannon University and the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania are teaming up for a blood drive to be held at Gannon’s Hammermill Center Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Hammermill Center, corner of Peach Street and South Park Row. No appointment is needed, and donors may walk in at their convenience.

“Through their generosity, Gannon University students, faculty, and staff saved well over 1,000 lives last year by holding the largest blood drives in Erie County,” said Deanna Renaud, mobile drive coordinator for the Community Blood Bank. “We are very grateful for their efforts and hope to continue these successful blood drives.”

The Blood Bank notes that every donation saves three lives, because three components – red blood cells, platelets, and plasma – are routinely used from each pint collected. Gannon’s three most recent blood drives yielded a total of 423 donors.

During the Oct. 7 drive, donors also will have the opportunity to donate double-red cells.

Important information if you plan to donate:
• A photo ID is required at the time of donation.

• Donors should be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health.

• Individuals cannot donate if they have had a tattoo or piercing from a tattoo parlor in the last 12 months.

• Eat a good meal prior to donating.

More about the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania

All donations made through the Community Blood Bank stay local because the Blood Bank only collects from the regions it supplies. The Community Blood Bank is the only supplier of blood and blood products to hospitals and patients in Erie County as well as Elk, Potter, Warren, and McKean counties.

In addition, the Community Blood Bank is the preferred blood supplier in Chautauqua, Allegany, and Cattaraugus counties, located in Western New York.

To adequately supply routine usage requires 800 donated units a week. The donations help accident and trauma victims and patients undergoing surgeries. In addition, 20 percent of all blood products help people fighting cancer.

Researchers also are now finding that the plasma portion of the donation is extremely valuable, as plasma-derived treatments are useful in more than 250 debilitating and deadly diseases, including bleeding and muscular disorders and immune system deficiencies.

For more information, or for questions related to donating and eligibility, contact the Community Blood Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania at 814-456-4206. All inquiries are confidential.