Tag Archives: Red Cross Blood

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

Gift giving made simple: donate blood this Holiday Season

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By Tim Poe, American Red Cross volunteer

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with information on current donor incentives

Blood. It’s red, deep red, like a worldview when tediousness and life drama build and become epic. It’s also lifegiving, sustaining, and needed. Most of us only feel we need such a boost on occasion, but others—including trauma, leukemia, and kidney disease patients, those experiencing childbirth emergencies, and more—truly need it to keep living, right away.

And you know what? You have blood! Lots of it! About 1.5 gallons, just waiting to help. Even a paper cut will remind you it’s there. Yet a lot of people will need blood today, tomorrow, and next week. On average, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. So, schedule a time to donate some. You’ll feel good about yourself, get a cookie and juice, bring much needed light to the world (metaphorically), and potentially save a life (literally).

Thanks to Prime Video and their new film Candy Cane Lane, those who come to give now through Dec. 31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. (Details at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon). In thanks for giving, we’re also offering a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email for those who come to give Dec. 1-17, and a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt Dec. 18-Jan. 5, while supplies last.

Did you know we decorate with red during the giving season because donating blood is among the greatest gifts of all? Okay, I made that up, but I like it and am sticking with it.

However awesome you believe yourself to be, you can be even more so. Just with a little less blood for a very short time. Your body will quickly make more; and remember, you have around a gallon and a half of the stuff. They won’t take anywhere near that much. Promise.

To take part in this much needed awesomeness and giving spirit, visit redcrossblood.org or download the free app. Here are the season’s blood drives in our area, where you’ll be among other fantastic, giving people, like Eilene, Don, and Doug.

Holiday Blood Drive, Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls, 2022

American Red Cross Northern Ohio 2023 Holiday Blood Drives

December 12, 2023
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
1 Center Court
Cleveland, OH 44115
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 15, 2023
Crocker Park
239 Market Street
Westlake, OH 44145
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 19, 2023
Sheraton Suites Akron/Cuyahoga Falls
1989 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 20, 2023
Hilton Garden Inn
8971 Wilcox Drive
Twinsburg, OH 44087
7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 21, 2023
Packard Music Hall
1703 Mahoning Ave.
Warren, OH 44483
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 21, 2023
WNWO Holiday Blood Drive
Hilton Garden Inn Perrysburg
6165 Levis Commons Blvd.
Perrysburg, OH 43551
8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Make an appointment today!

December 22, 2023
Stambaugh Auditorium
1000 Fifth Ave.
Youngstown, OH 44504
Make an appointment today!

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

Cleveland Clinic blood drive hits milestone

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3,000 donations made since 2019

Hundreds of Cleveland Clinic employees pass through the lower-level atrium in the Robert J. Tomsich Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Institute every day. Institute Communications Manager Gary Weiland saw the space as an ideal place to hold American Red Cross blood drives. The first one was held in April of 2019.

Dr. Zaher Otrock and Sheri Bova of Cleveland Clinic,, Jill Trupo and Bonnie Flenner of the Red Cross, and, Gary Weiland of Cleveland Clinic

Less than a year later, the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Many businesses and schools that had been used regularly for blood drives before the pandemic were shuttered, severely reducing the number of blood drives – and the number of blood donations – causing a nationwide blood shortage.

But Cleveland Clinic did not – COULD not – close, and with a robust health care workforce passing through the atrium every day, there was plenty of opportunity to collect much-needed blood in that space.

“At first it was quarterly,” Gary said of the blood drives being held there. “But when COVID hit, we began to schedule them every two weeks.”

“We can’t overemphasize the value of having Cleveland Clinic as a site for frequent blood drives,” said Bonnie Flenner, Regional Donor Services Executive for the Red Cross of Northern Ohio. “We are so grateful for their partnership, especially during the pandemic. It has truly made a difference in the lives of so many patients.”

Since that first blood drive in 2019, more than 3,000 donations of blood have been collected, a milestone recently celebrated when Cleveland Clinic research coordinator Brandon Blake became the donor from whom the 3,000th donation was collected.

Brandon Blake, Cleveland Clinic Research Coordinator made the 3,000th donation

“I was shocked,” Brandon said upon learning of the milestone. “It’s like a baseball player getting his 3,000th hit. It’s pretty special.”

Brandon said he donates blood because it makes a difference. Dr. Zaher Otrock, head of Transfusion Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, couldn’t agree more.

“People with cancer and so many other conditions could not be treated without the blood they need to have every day,” he said.

The Red Cross collections staff working at the blood drive that day included Shacriea Bost, Kary Conley, Makayla Williams, Devyn Mills and Alexis Bell. They posed for a photo, surrounding a sign created to mark the milestone event.

Red Cross phlebotomists Alexis Bell and Kary Conley

And donors that day got a special treat – beyond the cookies, snacks and juice boxes that are typically available following a blood donation. They were offered a piece of cake as well, also created to help celebrate the 3,000 th donation made at that blood drive site.

Companies, churches, civic groups and others interested in hosting a blood drive – or multiple blood drives – can learn more by visiting redcrossblood.org.

See more photos from the 3000th blood donation here.

Posted by Ryan Lang, Red Cross volunteer and board member

Edited by Glenda Bogar, Red Cross volunteer

A call for blood: Red Cross issues plea for blood and platelet donations

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By Eric Alves, Regional Communications Specialist, American Red Cross of Northeast Ohio
Photo credit: Jim McIntyre, Regional Communications Manager

The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage and urgently needs blood and platelet donors to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Volunteer blood drive hosts are also critically needed to prevent the shortage from worsening this winter.

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Blood donor Michelle Polinko and Red Cross Collections Technician Willie Muse

Launching an appeal in November is unprecedented for the Red Cross, and everyone is needed to help replenish supplies as we head into a difficult holiday blood collection season.

During September and October, coupled with hurricanes Michael and Florence, the Red Cross collected over 21,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than what hospitals needed. Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, due to it being a universal donor and for its ability to be used for all blood types, and platelet donors are urged to make an appointment to donate at RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Additionally, more than 130 blood drives in Northeast Ohio are needed in December, January and February to help stop the shortage from continuing throughout winter. Donations often decline during the winter holidays when many groups postpone blood drives while regular donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. Severe winter weather may also cause blood drive cancellations contributing to fewer donations than needed.

Only 38 percent of the population is eligible to donate. However, less than 10 percent of those who are eligible actually donate. Time and time again, people state the reason they never considered donating blood was simply because they were never asked. Well Northeast Ohio, consider yourself asked!

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Red Cross blood donor Emily Probst

How to help:

Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass, are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.

IMG_6405For those in the Greater Cleveland Area interested in giving blood and donating platelets, the Red Cross has blood donation centers in Cleveland and Parma. The Warzel Blood Donation Center is located at the Regional Headquarters on 3747 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland and is open from 7 am to 3 pm on Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and 12 pm to 8 pm Tuesday to Thursday.

The Parma Donation Center is located on 5585 Pearl Avenue and is open from 12 pm to 8 pm Monday to Thursday and 7 am to 3 pm Friday to Sunday.

The Red Cross also has a donation center in our Akron office and a donation center in Mansfield.

Those interested in hosting a blood drive can learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive this winter, by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are thankful for the loyal donors who give the gift of life regularly. Here are some helpful facts as you prepare to take the next steps to donate today:

  • The average person has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his or her body.
  • There are 4 blood groups: A, B, AB and O.
  • Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
  • Red cells, which contain hemoglobin, carry oxygen throughout the blood and give blood its red color, are used to treat trauma or surgery patients.
  • Platelets helps prevent massive blood loss by helping blood clot and is used to treat cancer patients, organ transplant patients and surgery patients.
  • You can donate blood every 56 days and you can donate platelets up to 24 times per year.
  • You must be at least 17 years old to donate. In Ohio, you can donate blood if you are 16 years old and have written parental consent.
  • You must weigh at least 110 pounds. Additional weight requirements apply
    for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors.
  • From beginning to end, the blood donation process takes about one hour and 15 minutes to donate blood and three hours to donate platelets.
  • The Red Cross does not charge for the blood itself, but does recoup the many costs associated with the donation process.
  • After you donate, you can enjoy juice and cookies in the refreshment area and think about the difference you’ve made!