By Christy Peters, Regional External Communications Manager, American Red Cross

This holiday season, the American Red Cross is asking you to give comfort & joy by giving blood. Medical treatments and emergencies don’t stop for the holidays. Patients at 80 hospitals in northern Ohio are depending on you to give and ensure the local blood supply stays strong throughout the winter months.

As a thank-you for helping meet the need for blood donations from Nov.15 through Dec. 15, Suburban Propane is offering those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane, to enable a lucky winner to enjoy socially distanced celebrations with family and friends this holiday season. 

The prize includes a propane-powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater and stipend towards propane. See complete official rules and terms and conditions of the giveaway. Also, those who come to give Nov. 25 through 28 and Dec. 18 through Jan. 4 will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

The Red Cross continues to test blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies. As part of this effort, plasma from standard blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise, so does the need for convalescent plasma. If you, or someone you know, has recovered from COVID-19 learn how you can help meet the need for this product at RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid.

To make an appointment to give blood or for more information, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.