More than 260 donations made at the Give from the Heart at annual blood drive

Posted on February 4, 2022 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

For 23 years, the Give from the Heart blood drive has been a lifesaving tradition in Northern Ohio. This year’s event was held last Tuesday, Feb. 8 at the Cleveland Marriott East in Warrensville Heights.

This blood drive came at a vital time, as the Red Cross continues to struggle with a national blood crisis. The current nationwide shortage has been further impacted by winter weather across the country, with about 600 blood drives cancelled forcing 20,000 donations to go uncollected.

Across the Northern Ohio Region, 21 blood drives were cancelled Thursday, February 3 leaving more than 730 donations uncollected.

The more than 260 donations made at the Give from the Heart blood drive will potentially help up to 800 patients.

We encourage donors to make an appointment for future blood drives by visiting redcrossblood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance.

If you are not able to give blood, the Red Cross also needs blood drive volunteers and blood transportation specialists to support critical blood collections. Blood drive volunteers play an important role by greeting, registering, answering questions and providing information to blood donors throughout the donation process. Blood transportation specialists provide a critical link between blood donors and blood recipients by delivering blood to hospitals our local communities. To learn more and sign-up, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday.

Local blood donors give more life by giving blood at annual Give from the Heart Blood Drive

Posted on February 10, 2021 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Christy Peters, American Red Cross

For many, the Valentine’s Day holiday means finding the perfect card and picking out the best chocolate heart to share with someone special. But for blood donors across northern Ohio, this holiday means a longstanding tradition of giving love by giving blood at the annual Give From the Heart Blood Drive.

On Tuesday, February 9, donors from across northeast Ohio helped save lives by donating at the Cleveland Marriot East in Warrensville Heights. As is the case with so many traditions during the pandemic, the event was slightly different than in past years. One thing that had not changed was the commitment of so many to take an hour out of their day to help someone in need.

Red Cross blood donor Sylvia Stewart-Lumkin

“I believe that everything I have is from the Lord. That includes my time, talent, treasure and my body,” said Sylvia Stewart-Lumkin, a donor from Cleveland Heights. “This is my way to give of myself to help someone in need.” Sylvia has given at this event before and is also a regular donor at Mt. Gillion Missionary Baptist Church.

Latisha Bowen of University Heights also gave on Tuesday and is type O positive. “I started donating blood in college. This is my third donation in the last year,” she said. “I’ve just always donated blood.”

For Meredith Reinhard, this blood drive marked the first time she’s given blood. “As a first year PA student beginning in May, my goal for 2021 was to give back and go through the experience of donating blood,” she said. “I love that I get to save three lives and find out my blood type!”

The Red Cross typically has a difficult time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in meeting the constant need for blood products. Thanks to the 212 blood donors who came to give Tuesday, 208 pints of blood were collected for patients in need. That means up to 624 people may be helped, as each unit of donated blood can potentially help three people.

For those who were not able to give on Tuesday, the Red Cross continues to host blood drives throughout the region. You can find blood drives near you by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and searching by your zip code or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Individuals can also download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, which makes it easy and convenient to schedule and manage donation appointments and track the lifetime impact of your donations.

For more photos from the 2021 Give from the Heart blood drive, visit our Flickr album.

Donors give from the heart at 21st annual blood drive

Posted on February 13, 2019 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Valentine’s week tradition held once again at Landerhaven

By Glenda Bogar, American Red Cross volunteer

Love was in the air and flowing freely on Tuesday at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven. Not because it was two days before Valentine’s Day. It was thanks to the generous residents of Northeast Ohio who donated 495 pints of blood during the Give from the Heart blood drive in Mayfield Heights.

The sentiment “give more love, give more life” aptly sums up the event and the donors’ acts of kindness. Their gift of blood will help save lives—and is especially timely during the current blood emergency.

The American Red Cross’ 21st annual Give from the Heart blood drive, sponsored this year by Executive Caterers, Cleveland Clinic and Lake Health, has been a tradition in Northeast Ohio for more than 20 years, collecting nearly 13,500 pints for local patients.

The premier event destination, which hosts elegant weddings and corporate affairs was bustling with a sea of red shirts worn by Red Cross Blood Services technicians assisting donors. WINT Radio 1130 AM and 101.5 FM fueled the energy of the event by playing music and engaging donors in trivia games.

Donors received buy-one-get-one ticket offers to Cleveland Cavaliers basketball games. They were also treated to gourmet food and free gifts.

“We are so grateful to our donors,” said Christy Peters, external communications manager of the Red Cross of Northeast Ohio’s Blood Services division. “Their donations at the Give from the Heart blood drive will impact so many local patients and help us overcome the current blood emergency.”

Regional CEO Mike Parks and Collections Specialist Tony Parrish-Figueroa

Mike Parks, CEO of the Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region, Nick McCauley, Greater Cleveland Chapter board member, and a number of the Red Cross Young Professionals Council shared in the giving spirit by donating blood alongside area residents.

Greater Cleveland Chapter Board member Nick McCauley

Janice Tanori, a 78-year-old from Cleveland Heights, was among the donors. As a teenager, she tried to donate blood but couldn’t when she found out she was anemic. Years later, as an adult working at Gould Ocean Systems in Cleveland, she volunteered to donate at a company-sponsored blood drive, fully expecting to be turned away but hoping to spend some time away from work. Instead, she learned she was eligible.

Janice Tanori

“It doesn’t pay to try to get out of work,” she said. “But once I was able to donate, I began to give regularly and have ever since.” That was more than 30 years ago. Janice now donates blood twice each year.

The Give from the Heart blood drive is a unique special event and was successful in helping to restore the lifesaving blood supply.

There are many scheduled blood drives aimed at helping the blood supply recover from a donation shortfall over the winter holidays that prompted the Red Cross to issue an emergency call for blood and platelet donors.

Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and type O blood donors, are needed to prevent the blood shortage from continuing throughout winter and impacting patient care.

So what is a blood emergency and why is donating blood so important? Here are some facts:

Right now, the Red Cross has less than a three-day supply of most blood types, and blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in. The goal is to keep a five-day supply on hand at all times to meet the needs of patients and be prepared for emergencies that require significant volumes of donated blood products.
Snow storms and frigid weather in parts of the country have prolonged the shortfall in donations. Since the beginning of the year, more than 16,000 blood and platelet donations went uncollected due to blood drive cancellations.
With more winter weather possible in February, additional blood drive cancellations could further strain the blood supply.
The recent federal government shutdown also affected donations as more than 4 percent of Red Cross blood collections come from drives sponsored by military and local, state and federal government agencies. About 30 blood drives were canceled across the country due to the government shutdown, resulting in more than 900 uncollected donations.
Blood products are perishable, and the only source of lifesaving blood for patients is volunteer blood donors. Therefore, any disruptions to donations–from declines due to holiday travel to severe weather and even widespread flu–can lead to an emergency need and cause delays in essential medical care.

You can help. To find a blood drive near you and make an appointment, visit our website or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Generosity Flows From Their Veins

Posted on February 7, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Blood Drive at Landerhaven draws hundreds of donors on a winter’s day in Northeast Ohio

The annual “Give from the Heart” blood drive at Landerhaven near Cleveland resulted in the donation of 528 units of blood, thanks to the generous donors who braved snow and cold to give the gift of life.

One of those donors was Michelle Polinko, the Regional Development Officer for the American Red Cross Northeast Ohio Region.

“Giving blood isn’t always easy or convenient, but it’s always the right thing to do,” she said, as Collections Technician Willie Muse worked with good humor to ensure Michelle’s experience was positive. DVXfoKJWAAI51Wl (3)

Also adding to the positive vibe was the food provided by Executive Caterers.

The donations of blood could not have come at a more crucial time, as the Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage. Ongoing winter weather has more than doubled the number of canceled Red Cross blood drives, resulting in the blood and platelet donation shortfall. Blood donations are critically needed so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need.

To schedule an appointment for a future blood donation, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Give From the Heart Turns 20

Posted on February 1, 2018 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Landerhaven Blood Drive Comes Amidst Critical Shortage, Urgent Need for Donations

By Christy Peters, External Communications Manager, Biomedical Services

The American Red Cross is partnering with Executive Caterers at Landerhaven for the 20th annual Give from the Heart Blood Drive. The blood drive is Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Landerhaven, 6111 Landerhaven Drive in Mayfield Heights.

Photo Credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross

The Give from the Heart Blood Drive is a lifesaving tradition in northeast Ohio. In the past 19 years, the event has collected more than 12,200 units of blood for local patients. All presenting donors will receive gifts from blood drive sponsors, while supplies last, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the drive. Donors will also enjoy gourmet food for breakfast, lunch or dinner, courtesy of Executive Caterers.

This blood drive comes as the Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage. Ongoing winter weather has more than doubled the number of canceled Red Cross blood drives and the resulting blood and platelet donation shortfall since earlier this month. Blood donations are critically needed now so patients can continue to receive the lifesaving treatments they need. Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in.

To schedule an appointment for this special event, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit rcblood.org/appt and enter code: Landerhaven or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Blood Drive Brings Donors to Landerhaven

Posted on February 10, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

The 19th annual Give From the Heart Blood Drive held Tuesday, February 7 at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven was a great success. This drive is one of the largest in the Region and comes at an important time, as the Red Cross is facing a winter blood shortage.

Despite periods of heavy rain and patches of dense fog, more than 570 donors came to give and the blood drive collected 536 pints of blood.

Each pint has the potential to help save three lives.

Our partners at WTAM 1100AM were on-site for live news reports and interviews about the event and the station promoted the drive throughout the day. Cleveland 19 TV also came to the drive to shoot video and ran stories during their newscasts, encouraging donations. landerhaven-3

All presenting donors received a goody bag filled with gifts from sponsors, a $5 Amazon gift card claim code and enjoyed gourmet food courtesy of Executive Caterers.

If you weren’t able to donate at Landerhaven, You can schedule an appointment at the location most convenient to you on the Red Cross Blood App, or by logging onto redcrossblood.org, or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Be sure to watch for the 20th annual Give from the Heart Blood Drive at Landerhaven next year!

Give From the Heart Blood Drive at Landerhaven

Posted on February 2, 2017 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

The timing couldn’t be better.

The 19th annual American Red Cross Give from the Heart Blood Drive takes place on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at Landerhaven. It is the largest one day blood drive in Ohio, and it comes at a time when an urgent appeal for blood has been issued due to a severe winter blood shortage.

Call 1-800 RED CROSS to schedule your appointment, or log onto redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code Landerhaven, or click here to make an appointment. You can also download the Red Cross Blood App to make your appointment. All donors will receive free gifts from the many sponsors participating, and can enjoy live entertainment and gourmet food offered by Executive Caterers.

Photos from the Give from the Heart Blood Drive at Landerhaven in 2016.
Photo credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross

Landerhaven is located at 6111 Landerhaven Drive, Mayfield Heights, OH, 44124.

Give from the Heart

Posted on February 9, 2016 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

There is still time left on this snowy day to head out to the 18^th Annual “Give From the Heart Blood Drive” at Executive Caterers at Landerhaven! Doors will close at 7 p.m.

Photo credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross Staff Member

Photo credit: Mary Williams/American Red Cross Staff Member

This blood drive is the largest in Northeast Ohio. Over the past 18 years, the ‘Give From the Heart Blood Drive’ has potentially helped to touch the lives of over 30,000 patients in need. Across the country, many regions are experiencing inclement winter weather and seasonal flu epidemics, which impact the ability of blood and platelet donors to give.

The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood and more than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day.

To schedule your appointment to donate, or to view the closest blood drive to you, visit redcrossblood.org.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

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