Blood donation opportunities in NW Ohio, SE Mich. during Red Cross Month

LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio — Donors are always needed, but current events have increased that need. The blood supply continues to face challenges from the ongoing pandemic and recent extreme winter weather across much of the nation mid-February.

March is Red Cross Month, in celebration of blood, platelet and plasma donors who have stepped up to meet the need. As a thanks for supporting the mission of the Red Cross, anyone who gives blood March 15-26 will receive a Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last. 

COVID-19 survivors are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. Leaders with the American Red Cross explained that these individuals, even those who may have been asymptomatic, could have antibodies in their plasma that could help patients battling the virus. 

Testing may also identify if antibodies are developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have received a vaccination, it's important to know which one you received by the time of your donation appointment.

RELATED: Donating plasma for COVID-19 patients through American Red Cross

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. 

The Red Cross is not, however, testing donors to diagnose illness. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone their donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center has standards of safety and infection control, along with additional precautions like temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff.

Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive and are required to wear a face-covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

RELATED: Red Cross offers safe ways to donate blood during the pandemic

HOW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Blood donation appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

UPCOMING BLOOD DONATION OPPORTUNITIES MARCH 15-31

LUCAS COUNTY

TOLEDO

• Toledo Blood Donation Center (3510 Executive Pkwy.) - Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Tuesdays, Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 
• Elks Lodge #53 (3520 North Holland Sylvania Rd.) - March 17: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• St. Joan of Arc (5950 Heatherdowns Blvd.) - March 20: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• UAW Local 12 (2300 Ashland Ave.) - March 25: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.  
• American Legion Hall (2020 West Alexis Rd.) - March 31: 2 p.m.- 7 p.m.

MAUMEE

• Freed to Bleed at Shops at Fallen Timbers (3100 Main St., Ste. 1599) - March 19: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• #11together Blood Drive - Maumee United Methodist Church (405 Sackett St.) - March 26: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
  • RELATED: Help save lives at the 11Together blood drive

WATERVILLE

• Waterville Community Church (8217 Dutch Rd.) - March 15: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

WHITEHOUSE

• Community of Christ Lutheran Church (6517 Finzel) - March 19: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

FULTON COUNTY

PETTISVILLE

• Pettisville Missionary Church (19055 Co. Rd. D) - March 29: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

HENRY COUNTY

LIBERTY CENTER

• Liberty Center Fire Station (County Road 8) - March 16: 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  

NAPOLEON

• Napoleon Moose Lodge (1381 Oakwood) - March 15: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

OTTAWA COUNTY

CURTICE

• Jerusalem Township Fire (9501 Jerusalem Road) - March 31: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

OAK HARBOR

• Community Market Oak Harbor VFW (251 W. Main Street) - March 19: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

PORT CLINTON

• Holiday Inn Express (50 N.E. Catawba Rd.) - March 18: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. 
• Port Clinton Elks (231 Buckeye Blvd.) - March 19: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
• Port Clinton Elks (231 Buckeye Blvd.) - March 29: 12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

SANDUSKY COUNTY

CLYDE

• Clyde First United Methodist Church (510 W Maple St.) - March 16: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
• Clyde VFW (847 W. Maple St.) - March 31: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

FREMONT

• Sandusky County American Red Cross (1245 Napoleon Street) - March 16: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.  
• Terra State Community College (2830 Napoleon Rd.) - March 18: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
• St. Ann Catholic Church (1021 West State St.) - March 26: 1:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

WOOD COUNTY

BOWLING GREEN

• Bowling Green Eagles Club (1163 North Main Street) - March 23: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

• Wood County Fairgrounds (13800 W. Poe Rd.) - March 30: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

PEMBERVILLE

• Pemberville American Legion (405 East Front Street) - March 24: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

PORTAGE

• Christ United Methodist Church (301 West Main Street) - March 31: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m.

ROSSFORD

• Local 8 Union Hall (807 Lime City Road) - March 23: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

MONROE COUNTY, MICH.

DUNDEE

• St. John Lutheran Church (460 Riley Street) - March 22: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. 

LA SALLE

• North Cape Yacht Club (11850 Toledo Beach Rd.) - March 27: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

MILAN

• Milan American Legion Post # 268 (44 Wabash Street) - March 25: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

MONROE

• Monroe County Community College Administration Building (1555 Raisinville Rd.) - March 19: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Moose Lodge 884 (1320 N. Macomb) - March 22: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Monroe Church of the Nazarene (3401 S. Custer (M-50)) - March 30: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Monroe Knights of Columbus (202 W. Front St.) - March 31: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

NEWPORT

• Dixie Skateland (5179 N. Dixie) - March 23: 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.  

PETERSBURG

•  New Life Church (6023 Summerfield Rd.) - March 30: 12:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

ABOUT BLOOD DONATION

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 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

RELATED VIDEO: