DREXEL HILL, Pa. – Delaware County Memorial Hospital will sponsor its summer blood and blood platelet drive on Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. in Meeting Rooms A & C of the hospital, located at 501 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Drexel Hill. To make an appointment to donate, please call (610) 284-8630.

In addition to the in-hospital blood drive, an American Red Cross platelet collection bus will be on-site for donors interested in platelet donation. Every presenting donor who donates blood or blood platelets will receive a free T-shirt. Donors will also be entered into several Red Cross raffles, including a daily raffle for a $50 gasoline card and a monthly raffle for a $1,500 gasoline card. DCMH employees who donate blood will also be entered into a raffle for a $50 Best Buy gift card.

This year, the American Red Cross has adopted the theme “Be the ONE we count on” to aid them in their mission of providing blood to area hospitals. Blood donations typically decline over the summer months due to vacations, holidays and the busy lifestyles of the American public during warmer weather; however, the need for blood remains high for patients suffering blood disorders, illness or trauma. The Red Cross’ Penn-Jersey Region anticipates that area hospitals will need nearly 700,000 units of blood and blood products, like platelets, over the next 12 months.

Most healthy people who are at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more are eligible to donate every 56 days. Donors can give blood at any one of nearly 200 bloodmobiles sponsored by business and community groups in southeastern Pennsylvania and in New Jersey weekly, or at one of nine community donor centers. To make an immediate appointment for a Red Cross blood drive this week, please call 1-800-GIVE LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or visit www.pleasegiveblood.org to find a listing of community blood drives.