Donate blood, platelets to help fight national shortage

        The American Red Cross continues to experience a national blood and platelet shortage and asks the public to book a time to give as soon as possible. Donors of all blood types are urgently needed, especially type O blood donors and those giving platelets. The Red Cross offers three ways to make a donation appointment that can help save lives:
        • Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App.
        • Visit RedCrossBlood.org.
        • Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
        The Red Cross experienced a significant blood and platelet donation shortfall in August, contributing to the current blood and platelet shortage. To ensure the blood supply recovers, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week over the next month to meet hospital and patient needs.
        “When blood and platelet supplies drop to critical levels, it makes hospitals and the patients they are treating vulnerable – especially if there is a major accident or emergency medical procedure that requires large quantities of blood during a disaster,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “A single car accident victim can use as many as 100 units of blood.”
        As a thank-you, those who come to give through Oct. 20 will receive a $15 Amazon.com gift card by email. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.
        The Red Cross provides community blood drives and donation centers across the Northern Ohio Region. Those who may have previously given at a local business blood drive are encouraged to book a time to give at one of these locations by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
        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.
        • Elmore: Oct. 12, 7 a.m.-12 p.m., Bethel United Brethren Church, 2920 SR 590.
        • Oak Harbor: Oct. 19, 12-5:30 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran, 122 W. Ottawa.
        • Gibsonburg: Oct. 14, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Zion Lutheran Church, 500 S. Brentwood.
        • Bowling Green: Oct. 12, 1-6 p.m., Bowling Green Eagles Club, 1163 North Main St.; Oct. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1033 Conneaut.
        • Perrysburg: Oct. 20, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saint John XXIII Catholic Community, 24250 Dixie Hwy.
        • Rossford: Oct. 17, 1-6 p.m., Rossford United Methodist Church, 270 Dixie Hwy.
        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.