Blood drives abound this holiday season

Posted on December 4, 2025 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Jim McIntyre, American Red Cross volunteer

In Northern Ohio, we’ve experienced weather-related school closings, road closures and traffic accidents – and it’s not even mid-December!

As winter approaches, the chance of severe weather can compound an already challenging time for blood donors who are busy with holiday preparations and travel plans. Seasonal illnesses can also keep donors from making or keeping an appointment to give.

That’s why the American Red Cross schedules several highly visible blood drives throughout the region during the month of December – to give busy donors a variety of days, times and locations where they can roll up a sleeve and help bring hope and healing to patients in need.

“People with cancer and so many other conditions could not be treated without the blood they need to have every day,” said Dr. Zaher Otrock of Cleveland Clinic. It’s just one of the many quotes I’ve gathered while visiting blood drives and talking to donors over the past 10 years.

“I was in a car crash in 2006 and needed 15 pints of blood. I’m giving back,” said Christopher Haddock.

“This is my way to give of myself to help someone in need.” – Sylvia Stewart-Lumkin

“I love that I get to save lives and find out my blood type.” – first-time donor Meredith Reinhard

 “My mom taught me to give back.” - Bridget Miller

“Christ gave His blood for everyone, the least I can do is help a few.” - Gary Pfeiffer

 “It doesn’t take a lot of time and it’s really, really, rewarding.” – Mark Fleischer

There’s still time to help save lives this year. During this season of giving, give something that means something and make an appointment to give blood or platelets by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767.)

OR…

Come to one of the following holiday season blood drives:

17th Annual Holiday Blood Drive – Cuyahoga Falls 
Tuesday, December 16 from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sheraton Akron/Cuyahoga Falls 
1989 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221

Annual Holiday Blood Drives – Mahoning Valley
Monday, December 22 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Packard Music Hall
1703 Mahoning Ave.
Warren, Ohio 44483
Tuesday, December 23 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Stambaugh Auditorium
1000 Fifth Ave.
Youngstown, Ohio 44504

In Memory of Harvey J. Steele Blood Drive – Toledo
Tuesday, December 23 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
Hilton Garden Inn Toledo/Perrysburg.

Create a new holiday tradition and help spread comfort and support lifesaving care.

Celebrate summer safely: Fourth of July safety tips and more

Posted on July 3, 2025 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Ryan Lang, American Red Cross

The Fourth of July weekend is upon us and the Red Cross is reminding residents of Northern Ohio and beyond to play it safe, especially when it comes to fireworks. Generally, we advise to leave the fancy fireworks displays to the professionals – it’s the best way to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time celebrating Independence Day.

If you are planning a home fireworks display, here are a few tips:

Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by.
Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
Never use fireworks around pets, keep pets indoors. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented.

In addition to fireworks safety, water safety is a top priority during the holiday and throughout the summer. Between trips the pool, the beach, the lake, etc., water safety is important for the entire family, especially when kids are involved. Here are a few water safety tips for you and your family:

Everyone should learn to swim. Classes are available for both children and adults.
Prevent unsupervised access to water. Always designate a “water watcher” to keep a close, constant eye on everyone in and around the water until the next water watcher takes over.
Avoid distractions when supervising children. If a child is missing, check the water first. Drowning behavior is typically fast and silent. Unless rescued, a drowning person will last only 20 to 60 seconds before submerging.
Reach or throw, don’t go! In the event of an emergency, reach or throw an object out to the person in trouble and tell them to grab on. Don’t go in! You could become a victim yourself. Without putting yourself in danger, rescue and remove the person from the water. Have someone call 911 if needed.
Download the Red Cross Swim app for safety tips, kid-friendly videos and activities, and take the free Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers online course.

For more summertime safety tips, including ways to beat the heat, visit redcross.org.

Local teacher inspires students to give the gift of life through blood donations

Posted on December 11, 2024 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Kathryn Dean, American Red Cross volunteer

It’s already nearing mid-December and with the holiday season in full swing, the spirit of giving is on many of our hearts and minds. As we grow older, we learn to appreciate the fulfillment that giving to others brings. This year, as we consider ways to give back, either through gifts, service, or charity, let’s remember one other significant way that we can help – by giving the gift of life through blood donations.

Merrylou Windhorst and St. Vincent – St. Mary High school teacher Heidi Tripp

Merrylou Windhorst knows the importance of giving back to the community. She has been doing it throughout her almost 80 years of life (she’ll reach her milestone birthday on Christmas day this year).As a teacher at St. Vincent – St. Mary High School (St. V’s) in Akron and now as a volunteer for the last 50 years, Merrylou has been mentoring students and organizing blood drives through the American Red Cross, giving back to the community that she loves.

Merrylou started out as a student at Our Lady of Elms Catholic school. After graduation, she stayed on as religious sister at the Elms for 11 years before feeling called to do something else. That something else was to become a mother and a teacher, and thus starting her work at St. V’s. During her tenure, she worked as a health and physical education teacher, as well as teaching theology and coaching softball.

Her interest in health and well-being led her to start a program at St. V’s about 40 years ago that she still leads and is still going strong today, the Future Medics program. Recently she has expanded the program to include students from her alma mater, Our Lady of the Elms. In it, students who have an interest in the medical field meet up once a month and learn about career options and hear from alumni who have found success in medicine. Students also help to run three blood drives per school year, something that she brought to the school over 20 years ago.

“As a teacher I’ve always said ‘don’t just think of yourself as a ME, turn the M upside down and it becomes a W, becomes WE’… and that’s kind of what I have done as a teacher and especially at Future Medics and at blood drives. It’s time to give to other people.”

High school students who are 16, with a parent’s permission, can donate blood. Students can also volunteer to work at the blood drives. Either way, they earn service hours for graduation, an important part of the culture at St. V’s. Merrylou is so proud of her students and their willingness to go above and beyond for their community.

“I’m always honored and amazed at these young people at age 16, and it’s gotta be scary to roll up their sleeve and give blood.”

She said with the students help, they often make or exceed their donation goals. Their next blood drive is scheduled for Jan. 22 at the school and is open to the public.

“You think about, when can you save a life? How can we ever in our life, other when you stop and give CPR to somebody on the side of the road, who can say, ‘I’ve saved lives?’”

Recently Merrylou received recognition from the Red Cross for her over 20 years of service in organizing blood drives.

If you’re considering donating and giving the gift of life this holiday season, join us at the annual holiday blood drive at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls on Dec. 17 from 7am-7pm. There will be refreshments and raffles all day, and all donors will receive a free, long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt!

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross board member and volunteer

Red Cross serves up holiday safety tips to keep you thankful

Posted on November 20, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

By Eilene E. Guy, American Red Cross volunteer

While preparing the Thanksgiving feast, has anyone in your family ever burned something on the stove, setting off the smoke alarm and forcing you to open windows to the chilly November air?

My family has!

Have you every grabbed a potholder to pull a dish out of the oven, only to discover someone left it wet and the steam instantly scalded your hand?

I have!

These kitchen mishaps are not uncommon. But sadly, some holiday accidents turn disastrous: Thanksgiving and the day before are the top two days for home fires in this country.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Most cooking fires happen because people leave cooking food unattended. (In my family, it was scorched green beans. I’m thankful the damage was just smoke.)

The American Red Cross urges everyone to keep safety top of mind throughout the hectic holiday season (and beyond):

Stay in the kitchen, especially when you’re frying or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove.

The same goes for a grill or turkey fryer outside. Don’t leave them unattended.

Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.

Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.

Keep anything that can catch fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven, or any other appliance that generates heat.

Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.

Consider getting a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen.

Always check the kitchen before leaving home or going to bed to be sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

Remember my smoke alarm? Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near (but not in) your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check them once a month. Replace all batteries at least once a year (unless you have newer alarms with 10-year batteries).

If you can’t afford to buy smoke alarms or you’re physically unable to install them, the Red Cross may be able to help. Contact your local Red Cross for more information.

One more thing: Does everyone in your family know what to do if you do, in fact, have a home fire? Visit redcross.org/fire for more safety information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, working with community partners, has saved at least 1,994 lives by educating families about fire safety, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk areas across the country. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit redcross.org/homefires.

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”

Posted on November 13, 2023 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

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 20^th 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.

The Twelve Days of Christmas: Preparing Families for Emergencies

Posted on December 12, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

Most people believe that on the First Day of Christmas the appropriate gift to give is a Partridge in a Pear Tree. Well, the Red Cross believes in building Disaster Resilient Neighborhoods during the Holiday Season, as well throughout the year.

To help you select stocking stuffers and Christmas gifts designed to make individuals, families and the homes they live in as safe as possible, the Red Cross has put together the following recommendations for gifts for the Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the First Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a SMOKE ALARM. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of a home; outside bedrooms on the ceiling or high on the wall, at the top of open stairways and at the bottom of enclosed stairs and near (but not in) the kitchen. It is important to check your Smoke Alarms every month and replace their batteries when Daylight Savings Time begins in the spring and ends in the fall.

On the Second Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a CARBON MONOXIDE (CO2) ALARM. Carbon Monoxide Alarms should be placed in hallways throughout the home. They should also be placed in recreational vehicles and on boats.

On the Third Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Install A-B-C type Fire Extinguishers in the home and teach all household members how to use them.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you install a FIRE ESCAPE LADDER. Homes with more than one floor should have at least one Fire Escape Ladder stored on all floors, other than ground level. Store these ladders where they are easily accessible.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you assemble a FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT. A family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Family Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop and search for supplies.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you assemble a PET SUPPLIES KIT. Pets enrich the lives of individuals and families in more ways than you can count. In turn they depend on people for their safety and well-being. Having a Pet Disaster Supplies Kit is one of the best ways to care for pets when disaster strikes.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you acquire a WEATHER RADIO. As the voice of the National Weather Service, a Weather Radio provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from a National Weather Service Forecast Office. During severe weather routine broadcasting is interrupted and special watch and warning messages are issued.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you get a FIRST AID KIT. Because the first five minutes of a medical emergency are critical, every individual and family should have First Aid Kits in their home and vehicles (including boats).

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you attend FIRST AID AND CPR TRAINING. For more than a century, the Red Cross has been saving lives with Health and Safety Services education programs. A unique idea for a Christmas stocking would be a Gift Certificate for a First Aid and CPR Training course.

On the Tenth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you purchase HOUSE NUMBERS. Each home should have its number posted clearly on the front door, over the doorway, or elsewhere on the front so emergency responders can easily locate it. Lives and property can be saved simply by using adequate house numbers placed where emergency workers can find them. You can purchase numbers at your local hardware store.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you purchase a FLASHLIGHT. As simple as a Flashlight is, it can become a very important tool to use during and after a disaster. Every family disaster supplies kit should contain a flashlight and spare batteries.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, the Red Cross recommends that you create an EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PLAN. Each home should have a list of Emergency Phone Numbers posted near the phone or in the front of a phone book.

For additional information on these and other safety tips visit:

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/7-fire-safety-tips-for-holiday-decorating-and-entertaining

Fourth of July Safety Tips: Celebrate Independence Day Safely

Posted on July 2, 2015 by American Red Cross of Northern Ohio

This Fourth of July weekend, many people will be traveling, firing up the backyard grill or enjoying fireworks, so we wanted to offer a series of steps everyone can follow to safely enjoy the holiday weekend!

HIGHWAY SAFETY Millions of Northeast Ohioans will hit the road over the Fourth of July weekend. (Auto club AAA estimates that 41.9 million Americans will travel over the weekend, the most in eight years!) Here are five things everyone should do to stay safe while traveling:

Buckle seat belts, observe speed limits.
Do not drink and drive.
Pay full attention to the road – don’t use a cell phone to call or text.
Use caution in work zones.
Clean the vehicle’s lights and windows to help the driver see, especially at night. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches, or during inclement weather.

FIREWORKS SAFETY The best way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. But if sparklers are part of your Independence Day tradition, here are five safety steps for people using novelty fireworks (the only fireworks which are legal for home use in the state of Ohio) at home:

Never give novelty fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
Make sure the person lighting novelty fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one novelty firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
Never throw or point a novelty firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

GRILLING SAFETY Ah! The Red, White and Blue Backyard Barbecue!! But did you know that every year people are injured while using charcoal or gas grills? Here are five steps to safely cook up treats for your Independence Day feast:

Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in the house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.

JUST IN CASE: WHY NOT BE SAFE AND DOWNLOAD THE FREE FIRST AID APP – The Red Cross has a free Red Cross First Aid App to put expert advice for everyday emergencies at their fingertips. The app is available for smart phones and tablets and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play for Android app stores.

Happy AND SAFE Fourth of July, everyone!

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

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