Keep hospitals prepared, give blood with Red Cross in May

        When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. The American Red Cross is asking the public to give blood or platelets during Trauma Awareness Month in May to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O blood donors and donors giving platelets are especially needed right now.
        • Type O negative is the universal blood type and what emergency room personnel reach for when there is no time to determine a patient’s blood type in the most serious situations.
        • Type O positive blood is the most-used blood type because it can be transfused to Rh-positive patients of any blood type.
        • Platelets are often needed to help with clotting in cases of massive bleeding.
        Thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts, all who come to donate through May 31 will get a coupon for a free haircut by email. Plus, those who come to give through May 19 will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two and VIP racing experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina on Labor Day weekend. Also through May 19, blood donors will also get a bonus $10 egift card to a merchant of choice. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/racetogive for more details on all offers.
        Local donation opportunities include:
        • American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway – Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
        • Oregon: May 17, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., ProMedica Bay Park Hospital, 2801 Bay Park Drive; May 21, 12-6 p.m., Hope Community Church, 5650 Starr Ave.
        • Northwood: May 22, 12-5 p.m., Northwood VFW, 102 W. Andrus Rd.
        • Curtice: May 24, 12-5 p.m., Jerusalem Township Fire Department, 9501 Jerusalem Rd.
        • Bowling Green: May 13, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., St. Mark Lutheran Church, 315 S. College Drive; May 14, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Courthouse Complex, 1 Courthouse Square; May 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 1526 E. Wooster St.; May 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1033 Conneaut Ave.
        • Fremont: May 23, 12-6 p.m., Terra State Community College, 2830 Napoleon Rd.; May 29, 12-6 p.m., Fremont VFW, 204 Birchard Ave.
        • Lindsey: May 20, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed, 1375 S. SR 590.
        • Oak Harbor: May 20, 1-6 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa St.
        • Pemberville: May 23, 12-6 p.m., Pemberville American Legion, 405 East Front St.
        • Perrysburg: May 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Ave.; May 17, 12-5 p.m., Perrysburg Heights Community Association, 12282 Jefferson St.; May 31, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Zoar Lutheran Church, 314 East Indiana Ave.
        • Stony Ridge: May 25, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5520 Fremont Pike.
        • Walbridge: May 29, 12:30-6 p.m., St. Jerome Catholic Church, 300 Warner St.
        Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.