The Jazz Sanctuary plans Philadelphia blood drive with live jazz Aug. 14

The Jazz Sanctuary will team up with the American Red Cross and local musicians for a community blood drive Aug. 14 at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church in Philadelphia. The event pairs donations with live music and kicks off a month that also includes three free concerts across the region.

Why it matters: - The blood drive ties a community arts organization to a public health need. - Organizers say each pint donated can help save up to three lives. - The event is designed to build on The Jazz Sanctuary's free-concert mission while adding a service component with immediate local impact.

What happened: - The Jazz Sanctuary announced a community blood drive, “Music Saves Lives,” for Friday, Aug. 14, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. - The event will be held at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church, 916 S. Swanson Street in Philadelphia. - The Jazz Sanctuary is partnering with the American Red Cross, American Federation of Musicians Local 77-274, and the Renaissance Orchestra. - Musicians from The Jazz Sanctuary and Local 77-274 will perform live during the blood drive. - Appointments can be reserved through the American Red Cross blood donation page.

The details: - The afternoon will combine blood donations, live music, fellowship and community service. - Organizers hope the event becomes an annual tradition. - Alan Segal, founder and executive director of The Jazz Sanctuary, said the event carries personal meaning because his father once needed surgery after a rare blood type exhausted the available supply. - The blood drive is being coordinated by Leon and Phaedra Jordan of American Federation of Musicians Local 77-274 and the Renaissance Orchestra in partnership with the American Red Cross. - The event theme is “Music Saves Lives.” - The Jazz Sanctuary says it has presented free live jazz across the Greater Philadelphia region since 2011. - The organization says it has staged hundreds of free concerts in churches, community centers, senior residences and public gathering places.

Between the lines: - The blood drive expands The Jazz Sanctuary's role from presenter of free concerts to organizer of direct community service. - The pairing of music and blood donation gives the group a way to deepen audience engagement beyond performance nights. - The event also helps the organization reinforce its community profile heading into a busier fall season. - Segal said the group is pursuing grants, sponsorships and community partnerships to keep free jazz available in the region.

What's next: - The Jazz Sanctuary has three free August concerts on its calendar. - Thursday, Aug. 6: “Jazz & Joe” at the Church of the Incarnation in Morrisville, featuring The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet. - Friday, Aug. 14: an evening performance at Our Lady of the Assumption in Wayne following the blood drive. - Wednesday, Aug. 26: “Jazz & Joe” at Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, featuring The Jazz Sanctuary Quintet. - Segal said the organization's schedule becomes busier in September, with five concerts already booked and more in development. - More information is available at The Jazz Sanctuary.