COLUMBUS, Ohio (Feb. 26, 2019) — The community is invited to give blood in honor of Samuel Martin at a special American Red Cross blood drive held in his name Sunday, March 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Central Seventh Day Adventist Church in Columbus.
Long-time blood donor Samuel was inspired to start giving blood after his mother needed transfusions due to lung cancer. Since then he gave blood regularly and has now given more than 13 gallons of blood himself, making a big impact on hospital patient care.
Samuel is known for being active in his church, helping with the prison ministry and blood drives, recruiting volunteer donors. In June 2018 he was diagnosed with prostate cancer and is currently receiving treatment.
The Central Seventh Day Adventist Church invites the community to give blood in Samuel’s name to honor his legacy of donation and to help those battling cancer. “We would like to support Samuel and others like him battling cancer,” said Clarice Williams, fellow church member. “Samuel always gave blood faithfully and now he is the one who needs the support of others. We encourage members of the community to donate.”
“There are so many reasons why someone may need blood that we don’t even realize,” said Rosemarie Simmons, donor recruitment account manager for the Red Cross. “We take for granted that blood will be there at the hospital when we need it, but it can only come from generous volunteer donors. Giving blood in Samuel’s name is a wonderful way to honor him and potentially help others.”
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, including 41 hospitals in Central Ohio.
Donate Blood in honor of Samuel Martin
Sunday, March 3, 2019
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Central Seventh Day Adventist Church
80 S. 18th St., Columbus, OH 43205
How to donate blood
Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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.