Red Cross partners with 'Peanuts' comic strip to encourage Bucks County blood donations

The American Red Cross is asking residents in Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia region to donate blood or platelets to help maintain a healthy blood supply.

The organization is seeking donors of all blood types, including those with O positive and B negative blood, to schedule an appointment.

The Red Cross is partnering with Peanuts, the iconic comic strip by Charles Schulz, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the cartoon series. 

People who donate blood from Aug. 29 to Sept. 21 will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Peanuts mystery bag with one of four T-shirt designs. The bags are while supplies last.

The Red Cross noted that golden tickets are randomly hidden in the mystery bags.

Donors who find one can redeem it online for all four T-shirt designs. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Peanuts.

The Red Cross said that changing routines and filling schedules ahead of the fall season could keep people from donating. Severe weather and hurricanes also pose a threat during late summer and can disrupt blood drives. 

Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, weather canceled approximately 1,500 blood drives, resulting in more than 40,000 uncollected donations, Red Cross officials said. 

Donors can schedule appointments by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Bucks County:

Langhorne Blood Donation Center 100 N. Bucks Town Drive, Suite 204, in Middletown Township’s Langhorne section

• Tuesday to Wednesday: 11:45 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Thursday: 10:15 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 7:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Bensalem

• Sept. 4: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Juniper Village at Bucks County, 3200 Bensalem Blvd.

Doylestown

• Sept. 3: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Fred Beans Subaru, 854 N. Easton Road
• Sept. 5: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Wesley Enhanced Living, 200 Veterans Lane
• Sept. 15: 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 235 E. State St.

Feasterville Trevose

• Sept. 5: 1-7 p.m., St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, 65 E. Street Road

Langhorne

• Sept. 10: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sesame Place Administration Building, 100 Sesame Road

Levittown

• Sept. 9: 2-7 p.m., Restoration Church, 401 Pinewood Drive
• Sept. 11: 2-7 p.m., United Christian Church, 8525 New Falls Road

Newtown

• Sept. 4: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Shir Ami Synagogue, 101 Richboro Newtown Road
• Sept. 8: 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., American Legion Morell Smith Post No. 440, 41 Linden Ave.

Perkasie

• Sept. 4: 2-7 p.m., St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 3668 Ridge Road
• Sept. 9: 2-7 p.m., Deep Run Mennonite Church, 350 Kellers Church Road

Quakertown

• Sept. 7: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Quakertown YMCA, 401 Fairview Ave.
• Sept. 9: 2-7 p.m., West End Fire Company, 1319 Park Ave.

Richboro

• Aug. 27: 2-7 p.m., Northampton Township Library, 25 Upper Holland Road

Richlandtown

• Sept. 2: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 26 First Ave.

Warminster

• Sept. 12: 12-5 p.m., VFW Post No. 6493, 645 Louis Drive
• Sept. 12: 1-6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of Warminster, 500 Madison Ave.

Warrington

• Sept. 5: 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Neshaminy Manor, 1660 Easton Road

To donate, a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors can also use RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online on the day of their donation.

Red Cross officials said all blood types are needed to maintain a regional supply for patients. 

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.