Allentown Diocese begins annual blood drive on feast of St. Januarius amid nationwide shortage

The Diocese of Allentown began its third annual blood drive on Sept. 19, the feast of St. Januarius. The diocese is partnering with the Miller-Keystone Blood Center to collect donations from its community.

During the 2025 campaign, the drive collected 821 units of blood, which was 40% more than the previous year. Bishop Alfred A. Schlert said that blood can only come from individuals willing to give of themselves for others.

Monika Kotlarska-Gross, the director of donor relations at Miller-Keystone, said that because of a national shortage, most centers across the country are operating with only a one or two day inventory. She noted that blood is perishable and has no substitute other than volunteer donors.