Score a win for patients with the Columbus Blue Jackets

Blood and platelet donors enjoy icy cool prizes in September

COLUMBUS, Ohio (August 24, 2018) — The Columbus Blue Jackets are teaming up with the American Red Cross to score a win for patients in need and offer icy cool gifts and prizes during the annual Hockey: It’s in Your Blood campaign. 

When you come to donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross in Central Ohio during September, you can enjoy the following gifts and prizes:

• One free ticket when an adult ticket is purchased to any of the following home games:
  • Tuesday, Oct. 9 vs. Colorado Avalanche, 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 18 vs. Philadelphia Flyers, 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 23 vs. Arizona Coyotes, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 27 vs. Buffalo Sabres, 7 p.m. (Red Cross Night game)
• Enter to win one of four prize packs including team memorabilia and game tickets.
• Enter to a win a ride on the Zamboni® ice resurfacing machine at a Jackets game.

A blood drive will be held at Nationwide Arena Wednesday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. hosted by the Blue Jackets as well. 

“We are excited to partner with the Blue Jackets to help hospital patients,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “This is a great time to give as we work to rebuild the blood supply in September after experiencing a donation shortfall over the summer.”

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 more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.

More information on the Columbus Blue Jackets can be found at BlueJackets.com.

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 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.