Tag Archives: Cedar Point

Donors continue to respond to blood shortage

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It had been about five years since Ellen Eoff last donated blood. “I heard about the shortage,” she said as she rested on a donor bed at a recent blood drive at the Church of the Savior in Cleveland Heights. “I’m vaccinated and felt comfortable about donating blood again.”

Red Cross blood donor Ellen Eoff

Ellen was one of 44 people who donated at the blood drive, helping the American Red Cross address a severe blood shortage, as hospitals respond to an unusually high number of traumas and emergency room visits, organ transplants and elective surgeries.

In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine – like Ellen – can donate. However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.

Currently, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet current demand. That’s why donations like Ellen’s are so important.

Red Cross blood donor Michael Melicoff and blood drive supervisor Shantel Haynes

“I donate for the public good,” said Michael Melincoff, who has been a Red Cross blood donor for more than 40 years. “I donate 2 to 4 times a year,” he said. He also makes financial donations in response to disasters.

Patricia Moyer said she’s working toward donating her second gallon of blood. “It was there when I needed it,” she said, referring to a past surgical procedure she experienced.

WEWS News 5 reporter Caroline Sweeney and photographer Anthony Garcia helped the Red Cross spread the word about the blood shortage by covering the blood drive. You can see their report here.

To thank donors who help refuel the blood and platelet supply this month, all who come to give July 7-31 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card via email and will also receive automatic entry for a chance to win gas for a year (a $5,000 value). More information and details are available at rcblood.org/fuel. Also, all those who come to donate throughout the entire month of July will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm. To learn more, visit rcblood.org/CedarFair.

Donors who give now will help stock the shelves for the rest of the summer season. Schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Give blood, have thrilling fun

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A free ticket to Cedar Point available to blood donors at select drives

By Jason Copsey, American Red Cross volunteer

Cedar Point has been a part of Ohio family summer traditions for generations. The ever-growing amusement park draws millions each year from all over the world with 72 rides, including 18 roller coasters – many of which are considered best-in-class. And, each year, thousands of blood donors enjoy admission to the park for free, thanks to the generosity of Cedar Fair.

Cedar Fair, the owner and operator of Cedar Point and many other parks across the country, is once again partnering with the American Red Cross this summer to offer free tickets to blood donors at several blood drives throughout the region. Visit our calendar of events to find the drives offering Cedar Point tickets, then make your appointment at redcrossblood.org, sponsor code cedarpoint.  Those who participate in these select drives will receive one free ticket, which can be used for entry at any of Cedar Fair’s parks, including Cedar Point.

Cedar Fair has been an important supporter of the Red Cross mission for years. Since 2016, the company has donated over 100,000 tickets to the Red Cross to help promote blood donations. The partnership and promotion helps the Red Cross maintain blood and platelet donation levels, as summer months often bring a decline in donations.

In addition, beginning July 1, all presenting donors will be entered to win a trip for four to Cedar Point of Knott’s Berry Farm – airfare, hotel stay and food vouchers included. More information can be found online. Anyone can enter the contest by emailing customercare@redcross.org.

Cedar Point is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, with a full slate of special events, live music, food and experiences lasting throughout the season. Although the actual 150th anniversary was last year, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted planned events.

Cedar Fair Executive Recognized by Gail McGovern

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The president of the American National Red Cross, Gail McGovern, has recognized Sanduskian Lee Alexakos for her outstanding contributions to the organization’s vital blood collection program.

National Awards and Recognition Dinner 2017

Lee Alexakos, center, is flanked on the left by Gail McGovern, President and Howie Walz, Vice President of Recruitment

A Biomedical Partnership Award — presented recently at the Red Cross National Award Program in Washington, D.C. — cited Alexakos for expanding the partnership between the Red Cross and Cedar Fair Entertainment, where she serves as Vice President of Community Relations.

Cedar Fair—a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment—is a great corporate partner with Lee Alexakos at the helm. Her extensive work on the expansion of Cedar Fair’s partnership with the American Red Cross helped to increase revenue, reduce costs, and increase customer satisfaction for our organization. Her successful expansion campaign included gifting the Red Cross over 16 thousand free Cedar Fair admissions to be used to recruit blood donors during the difficult summer collection months; encouraging blood donations by offering prize packs of admission for four; and gifting and promoting a Grand Prize package including family admission, fast passes, and weekend overnight accommodations. The in-kind donations from this campaign were equal to over $1 million from Cedar Fair.

The success of the Cedar Fair partnership enabled laser marketing to our youth markets during a time of the year when it can be challenging to connect with our high school and university partners. Students stepped up to coordinate blood drives in their communities resulting in youth leadership opportunities plus education on the blood donation process and the patients we serve. Lee’s dedication to our organization and endless hours invested of her own time to ensure sponsor and donor engagement were crucial for our life saving mission during the challenging summer months.

The Red Cross is always in need of blood donations.  You can make an appointment to donate at 1-800-RED CROSS, or by logging onto redcrossblood.org.  You can also make an appointment on the Red Cross Blood App, which also records your donation history, and keeps track of your blood’s journey.

(Red Cross Volunteer Eilene Guy contributed to this story)

Cedar Fair and The Red Cross Reward Donors this Summer with Tickets to Theme Parks

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By Anmol Nigam, American Red Cross Volunteer

How would you like to go to  Cedar Point for free? All you have to do is give blood at a select blood drive this summer.

The Red Cross is offering free tickets to blood donors at select blood drives this summer, thanks to a partnership with Cedar Fair theme parks and Cleveland’s iHeartMedia. Donors also have a chance to win many additional prizes, including one of two grand prizes.

Fireworks_1

Photo courtesy of Cedar Fair, with permission

The Red Cross provides 40% of the nation’s blood to save countless lives. Blood and platelet donors of all types are always in need.

Christy Peters, the External Communications Manager for the Red Cross Northern Ohio Blood Services Region reminds volunteers, “Blood and platelet donations are especially needed during the summer months when donations slow due to summer vacations and travel among regular donors.”

One ticket to a Cedar Fair theme park will be offered to each donor at select blood drives. Participating theme park locations include Cedar Point, Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Knott’s Berry Farm, Carowinds, Dorney Park, Michigan Adventure, Valley Fair, and California’s Great Adventure. Tickets are limited, so sign up at one of these blood drives by going to redcrossblood.org,  calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767,) or by registering through the Red Cross Blood App.

6/21/16 Bainbridge Town Hall 1 – 7 p.m. 17826 Chillicothe Rd. Chagrin Falls 44023
6/22/16 Packard Music Hall 12  – 6 p.m. 1703 Mahoning Ave. Warren 44483
6/24/16 Mentor Civic Arena 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. 8600 Munson Rd. Mentor 44060
6/29/16 Castaway Bay 2 – 7 p.m. 2001 Cleveland Rd. Sandusky 44870
6/30/16 Massillon Recreation Center 12  – 7 p.m. 505 Erie Street N Massillon 44646
7/8/16 Hilton Garden Inn Mayfield Village 1 – 7 p.m. 700 Beta Dr. Mayfield Village 44143
7/13/16 Dave & Buster’s 2 – 8 p.m. 25735 First St. Westlake 44145
7/19/16 Heartland Community Church 1 – 7 p.m. 3400 Weymouth Rd. Medina 44256
7/22/16 United Methodist Church 12 – 7 p.m. 1435 E. Main St. Kent 44240
7/26/16 Independence Community Center 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 6363 Selig Dr. Independence 44131
7/29/16 iHeartMedia 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. 7461 South Avenue Boardman 44512
8/1/2016 Cornerstone Community Church 1 – 7 p.m. 5344 Fishcreek Rd. Stow 44224
8/4/16 American Red Cross Wayne County 1 – 7 p.m. 124 N. Walnut St. Wooster 44691
8/10/16 Cuyahoga Community College 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 11000 Pleasant Valley Rd. Cuyahoga 44130

Donors also have a chance to win a grand prize package and discounts for $2 off the purchase of additional Cedar Fair tickets.  The grand prize is a trip for four to Cedar Point or Knott’s Berry Farm with travel and hotel accommodations along with admission to the park.  Enter for a chance to win any of these prizes by visiting redcrossblood.org/cedarfair.

And, as a special thanks to Red Cross donors, Cedar Fair is also offering a discount on Cedar Fair tickets purchased through redcross.cedarfair.com. Since prizes are limited and the Cedar Fair blood drives end by September 5th, sign up to donate soon!  Your donation can help save a life.