The community is invited to give blood in memory of Josh Blauser at a special American Red Cross blood drive Monday, May 1, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Clear Fork High School in Bellville.
A junior at Clear Fork High, Josh passed away from a pre-existing medical condition which caused a seizure in February 2017. He was active in his school’s soccer and tennis teams and marching band. He hoped to one day enter the medical profession. He is remembered as a happy, positive and good-spirited friend.
The Blauser family invites the community to give blood in Josh’s honor. “Josh had a heart of gold and the will of a lion!” said Dawn Blauser, Josh’s mother. “He loved to have fun with his friends and make others laugh. He was interested in the medical profession, so hosting a blood drive in his name is a perfect fit.”
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to remember Josh and help patients in need,” said Emily Allen, account manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region.
Those in the community who wish to attend and donate in Josh’s name are encouraged to come after the school day has ended, as many students will be donating during the school day.
Those who come to donate at this drive will receive a buy one get one free entry coupon to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In addition, those who come to give blood or platelets by May 14 will have a chance to win one of three $1,000 gift card shopping sprees from GiftCertificates.com.
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 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
Blood drive in memory of Josh Blauser
Monday, May 1, 2017
8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Clear Fork High School
987 State Route 97, Bellville, OH 44813
How to donate blood
Simply download the American 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 donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. 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.
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