Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
MANSFIELD, Ohio (Nov. 18, 2020) — The American Red Cross and Richland Mall Mansfield are teaming up with WVNO Mix 106.1 FM, 97.3 FM The Spur, 99.3 FM The Light, ESPN 106.7 FM & 1440 AM and WMFD TV to invite the community to give more life at the 13th annual Give the Ultimate Gift Holiday Blood Drive Thursday, Dec. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Richland Mall.
In the previous 12 years of this annual event, the drive has provided more than 900 donations to patients in need. This year, the Red Cross seeks to collect 80 blood donations. Those who come to donate will receive a free Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.
Blood and donations often decline between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day when busy holiday schedules can cause some donors to be less available to give. However, there is no substitute for donated blood.
“The journey to help save patients involves many people. But it all starts with one person willing to roll up their sleeve and help,” said Kelly Beck, recruitment account manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “When donors give, they help ensure blood is on the shelves and ready for patients throughout the winter months. This blood drive is a reminder that you have the power to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life.”
Blood donors of all blood types, especially type O, are urgently needed to give now to avoid delays in lifesaving medical care for patients. Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood and more than 2,600 platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide, including more than 130 hospitals in Ohio.
Give the Ultimate Gift Holiday Blood Drive
Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Richalnd Mall
2209 Richland Mall, Mansfield, OH 44906
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 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.
How to donate blood
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 and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.