Perrysburg | NOHredcross

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.

By Samantha Pudelski, American Red Cross Volunteer

The American Red Cross of Northern Ohio held holiday blood drives across the region, providing an opportunity for donors to give the gift of life for people in need during this holiday season.

The drives were held between December 14th and December 23rd at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, the Hilton Garden Inn in Twinsburg, the Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, the Hilton Garden Inn in Perrysburg and Stambaugh Auditorium and Packard Music Hall in Youngstown.

The Red Cross put the call out to the public, encouraging them to donate at our holiday drives, and our community members answered. Across all of the holiday blood drives, 1,240 pints of blood were donated to provide critical help for patients across the region.

Each donation can help up to three patients awaiting a blood product – red blood cells, platelets, or plasma. That means more than 3,700 people will possibly benefit by the donations made at this year’s holiday blood drives.

Blood donations help patients in our community of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer, among others. In fact, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.

The need this year is high, as pandemic challenges and concerns, along with the typical winter lulls, have resulted in historically low levels of blood supply. If you haven’t had a chance to donate—don’t delay. We are calling all eligible donors this January as part of National Blood Donor Month to roll up their sleeves and donate. To find an upcoming blood donation drive near you, click here.

NOHredcross

American Red Cross of Northern Ohio Region

Tag Archives: Perrysburg

Blood drives abound this holiday season

Community members come together to give back this holiday season