Red Cross marks opening of new blood and platelet donation center in Amherst, New Hampshire

Red Cross volunteer Sharon Curole cuts ribbon

People wanting to make a lifesaving difference in Hillsborough County now have the chance to donate blood at the new American Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center in Amherst, New Hampshire. Amherst is an integrated fixed site that will allow area donors to give red blood cells and platelets. Having a readily available blood supply is vital for patients whose survival depends on transfusions.

“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs lifesaving blood. The blood products collected here can help accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients, organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia or sickle cell disease,” said Andree Baylor-Lloyd, fixed sites director, American Red Cross Biomedical Services. “To meet the growing and changing demands for blood products, this Amherst facility is one of many new blood donation centers the Red Cross is investing in across the country. This new site is a sister-site to our Manchester Blood Donor Center and will provide lifesaving blood to more patients in New Hampshire, New England and beyond.” 

During medical treatment, patients may receive whole blood or just the specific blood components they need. At this new facility, donors will have the opportunity to give a Power Red donation. It is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow donors to safely give two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning a donor’s plasma and platelets. These donations are typically given to trauma patients, newborns, people with sickle cell anemia and those suffering blood loss.

Phlebotomist BreAnne Sheehan

Donors will also have the opportunity to donate platelets. Platelets are colorless cell fragments in blood that form clots and stop bleeding. For millions of Americans, they are essential to surviving and fighting cancer, chronic diseases, and traumatic injuries. Every 15 seconds someone needs platelets. Platelets must be used within five days and new donors are needed every day.

“This new location in Amherst was strategic. It’s located between existing Red Cross Blood Donation Centers in Danvers, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire,” said Stephanie Couturier, regional CEO, American Red Cross of Northern New England. “Through the generosity of blood donors, this site is expected to collect an additional 8,000 platelet units – which can only be collected at fixed site locations – and 6,000 red blood cell units annually after three years of operation. This increases our platelet collection by nearly 60% in New Hampshire.” 

Platelet donation at Amherst facility

The availability of blood and blood products can help make each day a little brighter for a patient in need. Sharon Curole, of Manchester, is a multiple sclerosis survivor thriving because of a treatment that comes from donated blood.

“I want to hug every single blood donor there is. It means that I can stay out of a wheelchair,” Curole said. “Imagine being in the hospital and being told that you need a blood transfusion, but sadly, they are out of your type of blood. It’s devastating. How do we remedy that? You come here. You donate.”

Stephanie Couturier & Sharon Curole

The Amherst Blood and Platelet Donation Center officially opened on September 25, 2024. It is located at 123 Route 101A, Ste G, Amherst, NH 03031 – about 15 miles from our Donor Center in Manchester, New Hampshire and 35 miles from our Donor Center in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Hours of operation:

• Wednesday: 11:00 am - 7:15 pm
• Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:15 pm
• Friday: 7:30 am - 3:45 pm
• Saturday: 7:30 am - 3:45 pm
• Sunday-Tuesday: Closed 
  

Donors can make an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).  To make an appointment at the new Amherst facility specifically, use sponsor code: AmherstNH.