BERN TWP., Pa. — Mark Reimert knows firsthand what a blood donation can mean to a family.
“My son just recently passed away from cancer. He had transfusions while he was in there,” Reimert said.
This Monday, the place where he donates got a new beginning.
“This renovation that we did here at the site is way more than a cosmetic facelift. It renews our promise to Berks County and the surrounding area,” said Rami Nemeh, president and CEO of Miller-Keystone Blood Center.
Miller-Keystone reopened its newly renovated Reading Donor Center in Bern Township on Monday.
The center now has new chairs, brighter lights, updated restrooms and a redesigned space for donors and staff. Donors like Mark, who have been donating since the 1970s.
“I’m about three donations away from the 150-gallon credit,” Reimert said.
“Whole blood can help up to three patients, one donation. One donation of platelets can help up to eight donors. That’s why I do platelets. The more people I can help, the better,” Reimert said.
Right now, Miller-Keystone says it needs more people in those chairs.
“We do need an average of 350 blood donors to show up to one of our collection sites or blood drives to be able to support all of the patients that we service,” Nemeh said.
That’s why Mark keeps coming back.
“It’s not something you go to Walmart and get it off the shelf. Somebody has to donate it,” Reimert said.