UPPER SAUCON TWP., Pa. — Handshakes and hugs were plentiful as a local blood bank thanked those who make donations possible in the Lehigh Valley.
Miller-Keystone Blood Center held two local appreciation events.
"The support of these individuals and organizations ensures we are able to provide the lifesaving blood products and transfusion services that our community depends on.”Miller-Keystone Chief Philanthropy Officer Lina Barbieri
“Miller-Keystone Blood Center is extremely grateful for our blood donors, blood drive sponsors, and financial contributors,” Miller-Keystone Chief Philanthropy Officer Lina Barbieri said.
“Every single one of them, along with volunteers and our staff, are critically important to the operations of our organization.
"The support of these individuals and organizations ensures we are able to provide the lifesaving blood products and transfusion services that our community depends on.”
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic, Miller-Keystone brought back its appreciation series this year with a spring and fall celebration in the Lehigh Valley and Reading.
“For more than 50 years, MKBC has had the privilege of serving more than three million residents across an 18-county radius, including the Lehigh Valley and neighboring communities,” Miller-keystone Chief Operating Officer Rami Nemeh said.
'Gets tougher every day'
Tuesday at DeSales University was the most recent Miller-Keystone event to say “thank you.”
Barbieri said the blood bank was able to highlight people who help to make blood donations run smoothly.
"We honored volunteers because, at the end of the day, volunteers do so much for us.”Lina Barbieri, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Miller-Keystone Blood Center
“We honored blood donors, individuals who reached certain thresholds," she said.
"We honored financial supporters who gave at certain levels, and we honored volunteers, because, at the end of the day, volunteers do so much for us.”
Barbieri said Miller-Keystone also was able to show appreciation for some donors who have given from 5 to more than 100 gallons of blood.
She said every drop counts, as the area and the country continue to experience blood shortages.
“While we as a community blood center have been able to provide the blood to our partner hospitals for the past 53 years, it gets tougher every day,” Barbieri said.
The ongoing appreciation series is planned for twice a year moving forward to recognize the contribution of the community in blood donation in both the Lehigh Valley and Reading.
Miller-Keystone supplies blood to area hospital systems including Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke's University Health Network, Geisinger, Grand View Health and Tower Health.
