In times of need, people come together to support one another. The American Red Cross is asking for healthy individuals to step up to help patients experiencing health crises by donating blood or platelets.
As COVID-19 continues to affect everyday life, people may not be thinking about blood donation. But blood and platelets are needed daily to help patients battling disease and facing the unexpected. Donating blood is an easy way to care for each other and ensure hospitals have the blood products patients rely on.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, all who come to give blood or platelets May 15-31 will receive a special Red Cross āWeāre all in this togetherā T-shirt, by mail, while supplies last. Donors must have a valid email address on file to claim their T-shirt.
How to help
Healthy individuals who are feeling well are asked to make an appointment to donate this May by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions ā including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff ā have been implemented to safeguard donors, volunteers and employees.
The Red Cross is also looking for blood drive hosts to help ensure a stable blood supply. Learn more and sign up to sponsor a drive by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities May 15-31:
Crawford County
Bucyrus
5/30/2020: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., YMCA, 1655 E. Southern Ave.
Knox County
Fredericktown
5/19/2020: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Waterford United Methodist Church, 20595 Waterford Rd
Gambier
5/28/2020: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Kenyon College, Gund Commons-Gaskin Ave
Mount Vernon
5/19/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Gay Street United Methodist Church, 18 N. Gay Street
5/26/2020: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Memorial Building, 112 E High Street
Richland County
Butler
5/29/2020: 3 p.m. - 9 p.m., Community Building, 21555 Pealer Mill Rd
Lexington
5/28/2020: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Resurrection Parish, 2600 Lexington Ave
Mansfield
5/20/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall
5/26/2020: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Crossroads Community Church, 1188 Park Ave West
5/27/2020: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall