The American Red Cross is offering Hello Kitty collectibles to blood donors this month as it launches a 20-day drive campaign across Chester County, with four stops in West Chester alone.

Donors who give blood between Sept. 1 and Sept. 20 will receive a Hello Kitty plush mascot clip and a surprise sticker pack while supplies last, according to MyChesCo.

The campaign comes after the Red Cross declared a national blood crisis in late July for only the second time in its history, when type O positive blood dropped below a one-day supply. The organization says donations have since helped the supply recover from critically low summer levels, but warns that September could bring renewed pressure as school activities pull potential donors away and Atlantic tropical systems threaten to cancel drives.

West Chester and area drives

The biggest local window is at West Chester University's Sykes Student Union, 110 W. Rosedale Ave., on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Other West Chester-area drives include:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Jabil 1303 Plant, 1303 Goshen Parkway, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 9 — Chester County Hospital, 701 E. Marshall St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Resolution Life Headquarters, 1475 Dunwoody Drive, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The West Chester Blood Donation Center at 1065 Andrew Drive also accepts walk-in and appointment donors Monday through Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why the urgency

Paul Sullivan, senior vice president of donor services for the Red Cross, said in late July when the organization declared its blood crisis: "This summer has brought a number of unique challenges that have placed additional strain on our blood supply, creating growing concerns for hospitals and the patients who rely on lifesaving transfusions."

Sullivan estimated at the time that just three additional donors at each blood drive that summer could have helped the supply rebound. The Red Cross says blood and platelet donations collected in unaffected communities may be sent to areas where severe weather or natural disasters prevent collections.

How to sign up

Appointments can be made at RedCrossBlood.org, through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. Details on the Hello Kitty promotion are at RedCrossBlood.org/HelloKitty.

Upcoming Chester County drives

  • Tuesday, Sept. 1 — Phoenixville YMCA, noon to 5 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 2 — Jennersville YMCA, West Grove, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Sept. 4 — Upper Main Line YMCA, Berwyn, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Sept. 8 — St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Chester Springs, 1 to 6 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sept. 9 — Kennett Area YMCA, Kennett Square, noon to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 19 — Chester County Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Exton, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Hello Kitty collectibles are available while supplies last through Sept. 20.