Spring into action: Help save lives with the Red Cross

        In April, recognized as National Volunteer Month, the American Red Cross is celebrating the thousands of blood and platelet donors who make their lifesaving mission possible every day. With no substitute for blood and no way to manufacture it, volunteer donors are essential for hospital patients in need of transfusions.
        It’s donors who make and keep appointments who will keep the blood supply as strong as possible this spring. As a thank-you, all who come to give through April 28 will get a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice. They will also be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Spring.
        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.
        • Oregon – April 16, 12-6 p.m., Hope Community Church, 5650 Starr Ave.; April 19, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., ProMedica Bay Park Hospital, 2801 Bay Park Drive; April 26, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Mercy Health – St. Charles Hospital, 2600 Navarre Ave.
        • Curtice – April 24, 12-5 p.m., Jerusalem Township Fire Department, 9501 Jerusalem Rd.
        • Oak Harbor – April 19, 12-5 p.m., St. John’s Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa.
        • Lindsey – April 15, 12-6 p.m., Ole Zim’s Wagon Shed, 1375 S. SR 590.
        • Bowling Green – April 16 and 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bowling Green State University Student Union; April 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Maumee Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20189 N. Dixie Highway.
        • Perrysburg – 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Owens Community College, 7315 Championship Drive; April 25, 12-6 p.m., Saint John XXIII Catholic Community, 24250 Dixie Highway.
        How to donate blood,
        To donate, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or obtain 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 or 16 with parental consent in Ohio, 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.