TOLEDO, Ohio (Dec. 5, 2016) – It can’t be wrapped or placed under a tree, but the perfect gift can help save patient lives this holiday season. The American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give the lifesaving gift of a blood donation in December, a time when donations decline but the needs of patients remain steady.
Barbara Coger will never forget the donors that gave the blood that her husband received during the holidays. “I have been donating blood for some time, but really started encouraging others to do so after my husband received a donation on Christmas Eve,” she said. “He had not been doing well and would not survive much longer, but with that extra boost, he was able to share a big smile with me on Christmas morning, something I will always cherish.”
Donors of all blood types are needed this holiday season to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. To encourage donations, all those who come to donate Dec. 22, 2016, through Jan. 8, 2017, will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities:
Ohio
Hancock
Findlay
12/21/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hancock County American Red Cross, 125 Fair St.
12/21/2016: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Stonebridge Church, 2111 Stonehedge Dr.
12/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Findlay Knights of Columbus, 701 W Main Cross
12/29/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Findlay Family Moose Center, 1028 W. Main Cross
Vanlue
12/28/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Vanlue High School and Community, 100 John Street
Henry
Napoleon
12/27/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1075 Glenwood
Lucas
Maumee
12/16/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., St. Luke’s Hospital, 5901 Monclova Rd
Oregon
12/26/2016: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., St. Charles Hospital, 2600 Navarre Avenue
Toledo
12/16/2016: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/17/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/19/2016: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/20/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/21/2016: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mercy St Vincent Medical Center, 2213 Cherry Street
12/21/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/22/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., University of Toledo Medical Center, 3065 Arlington Ave
12/22/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/23/2016: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/24/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/26/2016: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/27/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/28/2016: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Toledo Hospital, 2142 N. Cove Blvd
12/28/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/29/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/30/2016: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
12/31/2016: 7 a.m. – 2 p.m., Toledo Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway
Whitehouse
12/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Whitehouse American Legion, 6910 S. Providence
Ottawa
Elmore
12/23/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Block, 320 Toledo Street
Oak Harbor
12/19/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Oak Harbor United Methodist Church, 360 E. Ottawa Street
Port Clinton
12/22/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 50 N.E. Catawba Road
Putnam
Ottawa
12/23/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Putnam County YMCA, 101 Putnam Parkway
12/29/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Trinity United Methodist, 137 N. Pratt Street
Ottoville
12/27/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Ottoville Parish Hall, 580 W. Third
Sandusky
Clyde
12/27/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Clyde VFW, 847 W. Maple St.
Fremont
12/17/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 212 N. Clover St
12/19/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sandusky Township Fire Department, 2207 Oak Harbor Rd
12/22/2016: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., American Red Cross, 1245 Napoleon St
12/29/2016: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Fremont Eagles, 2570 W State St
12/30/2016: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Fremont YMCA, 1000 North Street
Gibsonburg
12/17/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Faith United Methodist, 795 W Madison St.
Woodville
12/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Solomon Lutheran Church, 305 W. Main St.
Seneca
Bloomville
12/21/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Bloomville Community Center, 10 Beeghly St
Fort Seneca
12/20/2016: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Community United Church of Christ, 5661 N. St. Rt. 53
Fostoria
12/26/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Fostoria Fire Hall, 233 W. South St.
Green Springs
12/23/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Green Springs United Methodist Church, 117 N Broadway
New Riegel
12/27/2016: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., New Riegel American Legion, 17 S. Perry St.
Tiffin
12/22/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Clinton Township Fire Department, 837 N SR 101
12/23/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Journey, 2531 South State Route 100
12/29/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Family of Faith Lutheran Church, 870 W. Market Street, (Inside theTiffin Mall)
Wood
Bowling Green
12/26/2016: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1033 Conneaut
12/28/2016: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Simpson Building, 1291 Conneaut
12/29/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Christ’s Church In Bowling Green, 14455 Campbell Hill Road
12/30/2016: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Wood County Hospital, 950 W. Wooster Street
12/30/2016: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Stadium View Apartments, 1700 Juniper Drive
Perrysburg
12/17/2016: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Zenobia Wise Guys, 8048 Broadstone Blvd.
12/20/2016: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Hilton Garden Inn, 6165 Levis Commons
12/26/2016: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Signature Harley-Davidson, 1176 Professional Drive
12/28/2016: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 11050 Avenue Road
Wyandot
Sycamore
12/23/2016: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Mohawk Community Center, 295 St. Hwy. 231
Upper Sandusky
12/30/2016: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thiel’s Wheels, 350 Tarhe Trail
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
