Blood is one of those rare gifts that's just as much a blessing to give as it is to receive. Quite simply, it is one of the most important things one human being can give to another.

On Friday, Aug. 18, Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, will conduct one of its reccurring blood drives. Sponsored by the American Red Cross, the event will accept individual donations of blood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the gymnasium located near the back of the church.

"We want to help others. We want to be a part of that," said Renee Crowe, Calvary Church's events coordinator. "By donating blood, you will save a life. It'll take an hour. Every two seconds, someone needs blood. Since blood cannot be manufactured and because it has a limited shelf life, the supply must be regenerated by donors."

"Giving blood is a simple way to do something so impactful," said Nicole Roschella, a communications manager for the American Red Cross of Pennsylvania. "The need is constant. It always makes me feel good to go out to a blood drive. It makes you feel great to help your neighbor."

Calvary Church conducts a blood drive every three months, and the goal for this month's drive is to collect 36 pints of blood. Since 2020, Calvary Church has helped the American Red Cross collect more than 420 units of blood; one unit represents the blood collected from a single donor.

Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are also welcomed.

"(Donors are) all kinds of people," said Roschella. "It can be just about anyone, as long as you match the eligibility requirements. At blood drives like the one at Calvary, you'll get a combination of church members or people from the general area. We also have people who stick to the 56-day schedule (the minimum number of recommended days between donations), and they'll even travel."

"In my personal life, I've seen when people are anemic and they receive blood," said Crowe. "I was given blood through open heart surgery, and without it, I would've died."

The American Red Cross hosts about 120 blood drives in Lancaster County every year. Between June of 2022 and June of 2023, the American Red Cross distributed more than 1,000 units of red blood cells, more than 240 units of platelets and more than 60 units of plasma to hospitals in Lancaster County.

"When you give blood, it's used locally, and we need to keep the hospital shelves stocked," said Roschella. "It could be used for a number of reasons. It could be used for people with sickle cell disease, people with cancer, mothers having difficult childbirths. One out of seven people who go to a hospital needs a blood transfusion."

About 29,000 units of red blood cells are used in the United States each day.

"We're honored to serve the Red Cross here," said Crowe. "Not only is it helping the community, but it's also helping to fill our mission. We just want to open our doors to the community and show people we serve and that we love them."

"Right now, we're seeing a drop in blood donations, something we typically see in the summer months," said Roschella. "It's not a huge commitment (other than) making the time to do it. You don't see (the recipients') faces, but you know your blood is helping."

Donors can schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, by visiting http://www.RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 800-733-2767.