MKBC News & Community Impact

Officials from Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC) and the Diocese of Allentown have announced impressive results from the second annual Saint Januarius Blood Drive, with participating parishes boosting blood donations by 40% compared to last year’s inaugural effort.

“Of course, we set out to exceed last year’s blood donation results, and the Diocese of Allentown made it happen,” said Monika Wiegers, Director of Donor Relations. “Between September 19 and December 16 of this year, an amazing 821 blood donations were collected as part of the second annual Saint Januarius campaign.”

Wiegers added that 63 Diocesan churches and schools were represented in 2025, an increase of 17 from the previous year.

The blood drive campaign was held in honor of Saint Januarius, the patron saint of blood banks. Wiegers noted that both dates are of special significance.  “September 19 is the Feast Day of Saint Januarius,” she explained, “while December 16 is one of the dates when the miracle of his blood liquefaction is traditionally observed.”

Blood donors providing their parish’s Blood Drive Sponsor Code at the time of their appointment received a Saint Januarius medallion blessed by The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown. A prayer card was also made available for those donors who received a medallion last year. 

“I’m so grateful to Miller-Keystone and Diocese of Allentown staffs,” said Bishop Schlert. “Our parishioners responded beautifully to our initiative, and I’m very proud of them.”  

“Miller-Keystone Blood Center was privileged to partner with the Diocese of Allentown again this year to save lives in our community. We are very grateful for their generosity and support of our critically important mission,” said Wiegers.

“While the Saint Januarius campaign brings a fun and exciting spirit of competition, I think it is always important to note that blood donation is a year‑round lifesaving act and we encourage everyone to make giving blood a habit throughout the year,” added Wiegers.

“Approximately 350 blood donations are needed every day to help cancer patients, accident victims, premature babies, and others receiving lifesaving care at our community hospitals,” she said, encouraging eligible blood donors to schedule a blood donation at any of MKBC’s regional donor centers, located in Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Pittston and Reading.

In order to donate blood, individuals must be at least 16* years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be feeling healthy. A full list of eligibility guidelines can be found on the MKBC website at GIVEaPINT,org.  (* parental consent required for 16-year-old blood donors)  

Appointments can be made by calling 800-B-A-DONOR (223-6667) ext. 2, online at GIVEaPINT.org, or via the MKBC App (available for download at Google Play or the Apple Store). 

On December 15, 2025, Miller-Keystone Blood Center (MKBC), the City of Allentown, and the Allentown Bureau of EMS announced the launch of the City’s EMS Pre-Hospital Blood Program during a news conference at MKBC’s Hamilton Donor Center.

MKBC President & CEO Rami Nemeh thanked the City of Allentown for its leadership and partnership, calling the initiative a major advancement in patient care.

“Having blood available on ambulances to stabilize patients is a game changer,” Nemeh said, also recognized hospital partners St. Luke’s University Health Network, Geisinger, and Tower Health for their communication efforts to help advance the program.

“This initiative reflects MKBC’s mission to partner with our community to ensure a continuous supply of blood products and enhance care across the region,” he noted.

Allentown Mayor and dedicated blood donor, Matt Tuerk, described the collaborative process that brought the program to life. “Our EMS team identified a need, evaluated the data, solicited staff input, and proposed an innovative solution,” he said. “The final step was finding a partner who would show up, and that partner is Miller-Keystone Blood Center.”

Allentown Bureau of EMS Chief of Operations, Mehmet Barzev, MEMHS, NRP, emphasized the program’s lifesaving potential.

“This program is a significant advancement for our Bureau of EMS. It aims to improve patient outcomes by administering lifesaving blood products moments before a patient reaches the hospital, as administering blood before a patient reaches the hospital can mean the difference between life and death, especially for trauma patients.”

Barzev also thanked MKBC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, our regional hospitals, City of Allentown EMS staff, and their mentors from the New Castle County Delaware Department of EMS for their collaboration and oversight throughout the program’s development.

“We hope that our program serves as a precursor for other EMS organizations in the region to consider implementing a similar program,” Barzev added.

MKBC Vice President of Operational Services, Hope Dorn, noted the extensive teamwork behind the effort.

“From training and logistics to inventory management and constant communication, the teamwork and dedication to this initiative cannot be overstated,” she said, also thanking MKBC’s blood donors whose generosity makes programs like this possible.

View the full news conference here.

For information on MKBC’s Pre-Hospital Blood Program, contact Hope Dorn. 

The Miller-Keystone Blood Center is launching its second annual blood donor madness competition Monday.

It’s a 12-week promotion aimed to increase blood donations, specifically among young people.

The competition is between local colleges and universities, with the winning school bringing home a $10,000 scholarship fund award.

Each participating school can win a $1,000 award for their scholarship fund if their donations reach 4 percent of their student population.

But it’s not just college kids who can participate.

Anyone can donate on behalf of a given school. All you have to do is provide that school’s group code when you show up.

Miller-Keystone hopes that this event will ultimately encourage young people to become life-long blood donors.

“We are throwing this campaign so that way we can start getting in some younger donors. About 60% of our donors are over the age of 55 here at Miller Keystone Blood Center, so we really need the younger generation to step up and donate blood,” says Krista Brodbeck, Community Engagement Manager at Miller-Keystone.

Blood Donor Madness Details: https://www.giveapint.org/donormadness/

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WFMZ Channel 69 News
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