Category Archives: Blood Donation

Tips to keep the flu away during these last few weeks of winter

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

Spring is almost here and we’ve already seen many of the signs: robins in the yard, daffodil and tulip greens emerging from the ground, budding maples, and warm, sunny days!  Unfortunately, if you’ve lived in Northern Ohio long enough, you know the cold and the snow could be lurking just around the corner.

Just as winter is not yet over, neither is cold and flu season.  According to The Ohio Department of Health, Ohio is still experiencing very high levels of flu activity, as of the week ending February 10.

The American Red Cross wants people to stay as healthy as possible so they are available to donate blood.  Remember, there is no wait time between receiving the influenza vaccine and giving a blood donation, as long as you are feeling well on the day of donation.

Here are some tips & best practices to keep the flu and other illnesses away:

  1. Wash your hands.  Most people are familiar with this common epigram; however, it remains one of the best ways to prevent illness.  Frequent handwashing, especially when coming in contact with public spaces, is your best bet against bringing unwanted diseases home with you.
  2. Avoid crowded spaces.  Spending time in close contact with others, especially during cold and flu season, increases your chances of exposure to airborne illnesses.
  3. Keep soiled hands away from your face.  When you can’t wash your hands, make sure you avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and face.
  4. Eat a healthy, vitamin-rich diet, stay hydrated, and get plenty of rest and exercise to boost your immune system.
  5. Take the flu vaccine annually.   The vaccine is an important barrier against catching the flu, and it’s not too late to get your vaccination.  Flu season typically runs through the end of March, but you can catch the flu at any time of year.

The Red Cross is in urgent need of donors to maintain an adequate blood supply.  Consider donating blood this winter season, and give the gift of life to a recipient in need.  Even a single donation can make an impact.  During the month of February, all donors will receive a $20 Amazon.com gift card.  Please visit https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html to find a blood drive near you.

Celebrating National Phlebotomists Week

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Recognizing the men and women who collect lifesaving blood

By Eilene Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

One of the key activities of the American Red Cross is collecting, testing and distributing blood for trauma victims, cancer and sickle cell “warriors” and others in need of critical treatment.

Phlebotomists – the men and women who skillfully slide needles into arms – are vital connections between our blood donors and those who need lifesaving transfusions.

This week, the Red Cross salutes its 5,500 team members across the country who collect nearly 2.5 million blood and platelet donations each year.

If you have trouble wrapping your mind around the word “phlebotomist,” just relax and picture Safeyyah Edwards in her deep red and black scrubs, gently but efficiently preparing a donor for their “pinch.”

Safeyyah Edwards

Safeyyah has been drawing blood for 23 years for the Red Cross and she values the donor/friends she’s made at the Cleveland blood, platelet and plasma donation center.

“We refer to them as ‘my donor.’ They become like family. We hear their stories, we hear why they donate; we see pictures of their kids, events in their lives.”

“Phlebotomists help people help people,” Safeyyah says, referring to the fact that trained professionals like her make it possible for donors to give the gift of life, mostly for people they don’t even know.

“I am just in awe,” she says respectfully. “Some people are just terrified when they come for the first time, but they want to donate; they want to save lives.

“We do have good people out there.”

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. As the provider of nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross relies on phlebotomists to help fill that need. They strive to give volunteer donors a safe and positive experience while ensuring that blood is collected properly for the safety of recipients.

Safeyyah and her fellow professionals – You wouldn’t want to trust a blood draw or transfusion needle to an amateur, would you? – are especially crucial at a time like this: Seasonal illnesses and extreme weather events have cancelled hundreds of blood drives, leading to a nationwide blood emergency.

In the 31 counties of the northern Ohio region, the Red Cross needs to collect some 500 donations a week to meet the needs of more than 70 local hospitals.

To make an appointment to donate at a Red Cross blood drive near you, go online to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

And if you’re interested in a rewarding role in the medical field, the Red Cross offers training to become a certified phlebotomist. This link will take you to a variety of career opportunities in blood collection: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/careers/pbjob-types/blood-collection.html

40-year blood donor nears 35 gallon mark

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Gary Pfeiffer, of Wharton, Ohio, has donated nearly 35 gallons of blood. “I don’t make a big deal about it, it’s just another milestone for me. Once I got close, I started counting and keeping track,” said Pfeiffer.

Gary Pfeiffer, blood donor

Gary began donating blood more than 40 years ago, when a friend asked him if he had ever thought about it. When she suggested it to him, he thought that it would be something good to do, to help others.

He has donated at Red Cross blood drives throughout North Central Ohio, in Hardin County, Hancock County and Wyandot County.

And having O-positive blood, the most transfused type, Gary has had the opportunity to save many lives over the years. He has donated double red cells several times, which requires a longer wait time between donations.

Gary reached his 25-gallon donation a little over 9 gallons ago, at a drive in Upper Sandusky, Ohio. He says, “Christ gave His blood for everyone, the least I can do is help a few.” He plans on donating as long as he is able.

“I have gotten many little extras along the way, including my first pin, a set of 4 pins that when put together, make a red cross in the middle, a key chain, the document of my first donation, the original stick pin and gifts awarded with donations.”

“My wife made me a framed display of my pins, in the shape of a blood drop, which includes the stick pin, set of pins and key chain,” said Pfeiffer.

Pfeiffer Christmas tree

Gary and his wife Bettie create a different themed tree for Christmas every year. Last year, he said, “We chose to use my goal towards the 35 gallons of blood for our theme. Some drops are only partially viewable but there are 35 blood drops on the tree.”

Because his last donation was a Power Red donation (double red blood cells), Gary won’t be eligible to donate before this spring. But he plans to make his donation appointment as soon as he is eligible.

You can make an appointment to donate whole blood, Power Red or platelets by visiting redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS. You can also make you appointment by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

American Red Cross Taps Nursing Pool For New Blood Donor Ambassadors

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By Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Since the Civil War and the earliest days of the American Red Cross, nurses have been some of the biggest supporters of the mission. Red Cross founder Clara Barton was a nurse who risked her life supporting soldiers in the field. It is her legacy that all these years later inspires nursing students from colleges and universities across Northern Ohio to take part in the volunteer blood ambassador program. 

Dr. Mariann Harding of Kent State Tuscarawas is the Regional AS-L Coordinator with Kim Kroh, Executive Director, American Red Cross of Heartland, Stark and Muskingum Lakes

Dr. Mariann Harding, professor of nursing at Kent State University, Tuscarawas Campus, is coordinator for the Academic Service Leadership (ASL) program in Northern Ohio. ASL provides nursing students and nurses returning to college for their bachelor’s degree opportunities to volunteer in the local community.  Currently, about a hundred students participate in the program from Kent State University, both the Kent and Tuscarawas campuses, Case Western Reserve University, and the University of Akron.  

“Students in the Foundations of Nursing class have been volunteering as blood donor ambassadors for several years,” Dr. Harding said. “The donor ambassador experience has been a way to combine service with clinical-based learning.” 

Not only is the ASL program good for the community, Dr. Harding says it is also rewarding and beneficial for her students. “(They) enjoy giving back to the community and find volunteering a meaningful experience. They also learn about the donation process and the safeguards taken to protect the donated blood,” Dr. Harding added. “Many have given blood for the first time during their experience!” 

Kent State University Tuscarawas student, Penelope Cantu is a Red Cross Academic Service-Learning Blood Donor Ambassador volunteer.

Kent State University Tuscarawas student, Penelope Cantu, is a Red Cross ASL Blood Donor Ambassador volunteer. “Having the opportunity to volunteer at Red Cross blood drives has given me insight into how big of an impact blood drives are,” she said. “I had the pleasure of engaging with all kinds of people and listening to why they donate. Their stories helped me realize how much of a difference we all can make when we donate.” 

Find out more on the Blood Ambassador program and other volunteer opportunities here.

Local man donates blood for the first time in decades after LGBTQ+ restrictions lifted

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By Kathryn Dean

Important changes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines regarding blood donations mean more LGBTQ+ community members are now eligible to donate blood.

Mark Fleischer, Blood Donor

This was great news for a local Northern Ohio man and former American Red Cross employee Mark Fleischer, who donated blood last week for the first time in over three decades. For eight years, Mark worked at the Red Cross, organizing and running blood drives. He currently does the same at the Willoughby Senior Center, and so is very familiar with the eligibility rules regarding blood donations.

Under the new guidelines adopted by the Red Cross on Aug. 7 of last year, donors are now asked a standardized set of eligibility questions, regardless of sexual orientation, sex, or gender. In addition, deferrals that previously restricted gay and bisexual men from donating have now been lifted and eligibility is decided on a case-by-case basis.

As a gay man, Mark was previously restricted from donating due to rules in place since the 1980’s, aimed at preventing the spread of HIV. Risks associated with HIV are now addressed in the new, standardized questionnaire and are based on individual behaviors and health histories.

Mark said that he was pleasantly surprised to hear of the changes late last year and was eager to donate and support the cause that he holds so dear to his heart. He encourages those who have previously been given deferrals in the past to check with the Red Cross website for updated information on eligibility.

“People who may think that they’re not able to donate because of maybe a drug they are taking or because of a travel restriction . . . times have changed so I would encourage everybody to take a look because you never know. That was exactly the case for me,” Mark said.

He also wants people to know the benefits of donating blood, especially since an emergency blood shortage was declared by the Red Cross last week.

Mark Fleischer, Blood Donor

“By taking those few moments and donating, you really could be touching the lives of somebody that maybe you don’t know, but it’s a gift that you can give through that donation. It doesn’t take a lot of time and it’s really, really, rewarding. I’m really excited about it,” Mark said. “That’s what I want to encourage people to do and not just gay men, but everybody. Whatever your sexuality is, whatever your gender, whatever your race. Roll your sleeve up, come on out, and help give the gift of life. I can’t encourage people enough to do that.”

Those who would like more information on this topic are encouraged to visit the Red Cross LGBTQ+ Donors page for detailed guidance and answers to many common questions.

For more information on donating, visit the Red Cross Give Blood page. During the month of January, all donors will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Beat the January blues by helping Red Cross overcome blood emergency

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By Christy Peters, Regional Communications Manager

After avoiding it for a week and complaining about for much longer, I spent yesterday afternoon taking down and putting away my holiday decorations. It’s one of my least favorite things to do, for multiple reasons. It’s a tedious process because I have a lot of stuff and I can never remember what goes in which box. That leads to a not-so-fun game of decoration box packing Tetris that I never win.

Christy Peters, Red Cross Regional Communications Manager and blood donor

But I mostly put the task off because the first few weeks of January are my least favorite time of the year. I love everything about Christmas and packing everything up reminds me it’s over and I have to get back into a routine…back to work, waking up on time and not eating and drinking everything in sight! 

It turns out, I’m not alone. The “January blues” is a legitimate phenomenon felt by many, for almost all the reasons above. But this general malaise extends beyond diehard holiday lovers like me. January is also one of the most difficult times for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients. In fact, the organization is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years.

Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood to the Red Cross has fallen by about 40%. When fewer people donate blood, even small disruptions to blood donations – such as the nearly 7,000-unit shortfall in blood donations the Red Cross experienced between Christmas and New Year’s Day alone – can have a huge impact on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. 

Blood products are currently going to hospitals faster than blood donations are coming in, and in recent weeks, the Red Cross has had to limit distributions of type O blood products – among the most transfused blood types – to hospitals. In Northern Ohio, more than 500 units of blood are needed every day to meet the needs of patients at more than 70 local hospitals.

The Red Cross is urging eligible donors to make an appointment to give blood now and in the coming weeks to help alleviate the shortage and ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed. By giving blood for the first time, for the first time in a long time or just giving one more time this year than last, you can make a lifesaving impact.

To find a blood drive near you, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma in January will automatically be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. Plus, helping save a life is probably the best antidote for the January blues!

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Give blood and go Browns!

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January 5, 20204 – January is National Blood Donor Month and once again the American Red Cross and the National Football League are teaming up to help patients in need by urging individuals to kick off 2024 with a blood or platelet donation.

Those who come to give from January 1-31, 2024, will automatically be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas to thank you for helping during the critical post-holiday time. The winner and guest will get to enjoy Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas, access to day-of in-stadium pre-game activities, tickets to the official Super Bowl Experience, round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, three-night hotel accommodations (February 9-12, 2024), plus a $1,000 gift card for expenses.

Terms apply; visit RedCrossBlood.org/SuperBowl for more information.

And for only the second time since 2002, there’s a chance to see the Cleveland Browns in the Super Bowl.

The Browns clinched a post-season appearance – only the third since 1999 – when they beat the New York Jets to win a wild card spot on Thursday night, December 28.  And while post-season football has been a rare occurrence for the Browns, the need for blood is a constant.  Every two seconds, someone in this country needs a blood transfusion.

Right now, there is a critical need for all blood types ─ especially type O ─ after the busy holiday season. This time of year is challenging when it comes to collecting enough blood and platelets to meet patient need. Winter weather and an increase in illnesses like the flu can affect blood donor turnout. However, the need for donations still exists. Patients are still counting on blood being available despite these challenges.

Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now. Schedule your next blood, platelet or plasma donation by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Platelet donor understands impact of giving from both sides

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

As the director of manufacturing at the American Red Cross blood lab in Cleveland, Darlene Morris has a unique perspective on the importance of donating blood products. Over her 30+ year career in the biomedical field, Darlene has experience both working in hospitals and in the blood centers where products such as blood, platelets and plasma are processed.

Darlene Morris, All-Star Platelet Donor

This unique perspective has allowed her to not only understand what goes into making the blood products, but to witness firsthand the good that they can do.

“It is important to always keep blood on the shelf because you never know when something is going to happen,” said Darlene. “I’ve seen lives saved, and that’s why it’s important to me.”

In her current role, she oversees all of the blood once it’s been collected and returned to the Red Cross at the Warzel Donation Center in Cleveland. There the collections are divided into their respective products and sent back to the hospitals to be used. This center is the third-highest manufacturing site in the country, producing over 700,000 products last year serving Northern Ohio and the Detroit and Fort Wayne regions in Michigan.

She is also an all-star platelet donor, giving donations of platelets about once every two weeks for the past several years. Platelet donations can be made with a wait time of only around seven days, versus a 56-day interval between standard blood donations.

Platelets are an important blood component that enable clotting when there is an injury or trauma. They are also important for cancer patients and others suffering from hematological conditions. Darlene notes that “between the (blood) products being available and improved procedures, now a lot of people survive.”

Darlene Morris, All-Star Platelet Donor

Darlene’s experiences have shaped her views of blood donations and the people they serve.

“For me, I feel like it’s been a privilege to be a part of the Red Cross,” she explained. “It’s been a blessing to me, and this has been the greatest career. It’s not just about me, it’s about everybody else that we help.”

Learn more about the different types of blood donations you can give this holiday season here.

To find a blood drive near you, click here and enter your zip code.

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Michigan woman loses battle with ALM

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By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

Editor’s Note: Jennifer Koerber passed away 16 days after this story was posted. We mourn her loss, and hope her story of strength and resilience inspires others to donate blood.

Jennifer Koerber first knew something was wrong last year when she would catch her son’s colds and it would take a long time to recover. Then, the Monroe County, Michigan woman began having severe fatigue, pale lips and gums, a rapid heart rate, and she would even pass out sometimes. She discovered what she was experiencing were the symptoms of aplastic anemia, a condition where not enough red blood cells are being produced by the body for it to function normally. Red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen to the organs and other parts of the body. She required a blood transfusion to bring her hemoglobin levels back to a normal level during her first hospital stay.

Jennifer Koerber – from Facebook, with permission.

It took many more months of visiting different doctors and hospitals before she finally got her diagnosis, Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). AML is a type of leukemia that affects blood cell production in the bone marrow. Large numbers of abnormal cells called myeloblasts are created in the bone marrow, which in turn crowd out red blood cells, platelets and white blood cells that are normally found in the bloodstream. This leads to an array of symptoms, including a weakened immune system, anemia, bruising, shortness of breath, weakness and bleeding.

During her treatment over the past year and a half, Jennifer was reliant on blood transfusions to replace the missing blood components that her body can no longer efficiently make.

“I do rely on the American Red Cross,” Jennifer said while receiving treatment. “I am transfusion dependent, meaning I cannot live without receiving blood.”

Due to chemotherapy and the nature of AML, Jennifer relied on infusions of packed red blood cells and platelets to keep her blood levels in check.

Jennifer Koerber – from Facebook, with permission.

Jennifer encouraged people to donate blood.

“I really urge people to know that it’s not just about donating money … you could simply donate blood to save a life, and it’s free,” Jennifer said. “Also, there’s a misconception about where the help goes, because there are multiple things the Red Cross does to help people, not just in disasters. They help local people who are transfusion dependent for blood.”

Schedule an appointment or find a local blood drive near you by visiting redcrossblood.org or by downloading the Red Cross blood donor app.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross Volunteer

Give blood and celebrate the 20th Anniversary “Elf”

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By Christy Peters, Regional Communications Manager

For most of my life, I have been a holiday purist. My family always waited until after Thanksgiving before we did anything related to Christmas. No decorating the house or finding a tree until the last weekend in November. And, of course, only certain foods on certain holidays. Heaven forbid you have turkey on both holidays – turkey on Thanksgiving, ham on Christmas.

My strict expectations even extended into holiday entertainment. Only certain films were true holiday “classics.” For example, there are only two acceptable versions of “A Christmas Carol.” For the kids “A Muppet Christmas Carol” and only George C. Scott as Ebeneezer Scrooge for everyone else. And if you don’t watch “It’s A Wonderful Life,” can it even be Christmas? So, it probably comes as no surprise that when the movie “Elf” debuted, I didn’t see it. I was good with my classics, and it didn’t seem to fit that category at all.

But it seems I missed the memo because “Elf” is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and has rightly earned classic holiday movie status. As strongly as I feel about George C. Scott, there are probably many more people who see Buddy as the true hero of the holiday season. And for them, I have some fantastic news! When you come to give blood now through Nov. 30, you’ll receive an exclusive pair of “Elf” + American Red Cross socks, while supplies last.

Donations are critical to the blood supply as the holiday season draws near – a time when blood donations often decline. And for traditionalists like me, the Red Cross is encouraging people to add a new tradition as the holiday season begins: Spread cheer with a blood or platelet donation. Donors of all blood types are urged to give, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets.

Before the holiday rush begins, take an hour out of your day to give blood or platelets and help someone in need. You can find a blood drive near you and make an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

And, in case you were wondering, at the insistence of my husband, I finally watched “Elf” a few years ago…and loved it. It’s now required viewing in our home every year. Even us traditionalists can shake it up every now and then.