Red Cross seeking blood, plasma donations; blood drives set

This month, area residents can help keep blood products ready for those in need of lifesaving transfusions by giving blood with the American Red Cross.

Emergencies often grab headlines, but the need for blood is constant, especially in October. Donation appointments can often drop quickly with people settling into busy fall routines and making plans around upcoming school breaks, said Ryan Lang, regional communications manager, American Red Cross Northern Ohio Region.

Donors of all blood types are asked to make an appointment to donate now.  

As thanks, those who come to give blood, platelets or plasma through Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details. Those who donate Oct. 20-Oct. 31 will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus automatic entry for a chance to win one of three $5,000 gift cards. See RedCrossBlood.org/Harvest for details. 

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

• American Red Cross Toledo 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: Oct. 22, 12-5 p.m., St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 212 Stadium Rd.; Oct. 28, 12-6 p.m., Hope Community Church, 5650 Starr Ave.; Oct. 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., ProMedica Bay Park Hospital, 2801 Bay Park Drive.
• Curtice: Oct. 29, 12 p.m. -5 p.m., Jerusalem Township Fire Department, 9501 Jerusalem Rd.
• Fremont: Oct. 27, 12- 5 p.m., Fremont VFW, 204 Birchard Ave.
• Bowling Green: Oct. 28, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Ohio EPA, 347 N. Dunbridge Rd.
• Oak Harbor:  Oct. 13: 12-5:30 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa.