Give blood in honor of Black History Month in February

Celebrate the legacies of Drs. Charles Drew, Jerome Holland by giving blood

Donors who give in February will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card thanks to $1 million donation from Amazon

February 8, 2021— In honor of Black History Month this February, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors, and especially those who have recovered from COVID-19, to give blood to honor the legacies of African Americans like Dr. Charles Drew and Dr. Jerome Holland. Their passion for helping improve the lives of patients in need of lifesaving blood products is carried on through dedicated blood donors, blood drive sponsors, volunteers and Red Cross employees.

Drew, an African American surgeon, was the medical director of the first Red Cross blood bank in 1941. Drew’s research about the storage and shipment of blood plasma proved that blood could be stored for transfusions. Many of the processes he developed are still in use today.

As the first African American chair of the Red Cross Board of Governors, Holland was passionate about blood research. His commitment to providing the safest possible blood products for patients in need helped inform many safeguards the Red Cross has in place today to not only protect patients but also blood donors.

Donors have the ability to create a legacy of their own simply by rolling up a sleeve to give blood, platelets or plasma to help patients in need. COVID-19 survivors are especially needed to address a convalescent plasma shortage. These individuals may have antibodies in their plasma that could help patients currently battling the virus.

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. As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Inspiring lifesaving action

This gift is made possible by a generous $1 million donation from Amazon, and the Red Cross hopes it will motivate donors to roll up a sleeve to ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood products. During this pandemic, the Red Cross has been fortunate to witness the best of humanity and grateful to partners like Amazon, who have stepped up to help. Amazon’s generous donation will specifically help support the Red Cross efforts to collect a sufficient amount of convalescent plasma to treat COVID-19 patients as well as support the needs of sickle cell patients by helping to engage the Black community on the importance of giving blood and hosting blood drives.

In addition to Amazon’s financial gift, Amazon has opened their corporate and operations building to host blood drives nationwide. In 2020, Amazon hosted 65 blood drives, collecting nearly 2,000 donations to help save thousands of lives

Important COVID-19 information for donors

The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.

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 testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. 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 donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. 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 public guidance.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 16-28

Perry

New Lexington

2/19/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Senior Citizen Center, 520 1st St.

2/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., In Memory of Jackie Theisen-Ellis, 120 N. High St

Somerset

2/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

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Athens

Athens

2/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ohio University - Baker Center, 1 Park Place

2/18/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Richland United Methodist Church, 60 Pomeroy Rd

2/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.

2/24/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Baker Center, 1 Park Place

2/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Athens County Chapter, 100 May Ave.

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Coshocton

Coshocton

2/18/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Roscoe United Methodist Church, 475 High Street

Fresno

2/16/2021: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Chili Crossroads Bible Church, 29445 County Rd. 10

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Fairfield

Baltimore

2/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., VFW Post 3761, 2155 Reynoldsburg Baltimore Rd.

Lancaster

2/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 343 E. Walnut Street

2/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Mark Church, 324 Gay St.

Millersport

2/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Millersport Lions Club, 2900 Chautaqua

Pickerington

2/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Violet Baptist Church, 8345 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NW

2/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Pickerington Church of the Nazarene, 11775 Pickerington Rd. NW

2/25/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., OhioHealth Pickerington Medical Campus, 1010 Refugee Road

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Fayette

Washington Court House

2/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fayette County Memorial Hospital, 1510 Columbus Ave

2/26/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Fayette County Victim Witness Division, 133 S. Main St.

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Guernsey

Cambridge

2/16/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Guernsey County Crossroads Branch Library, 63500 Byesville Road

2/16/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Center United Methodist Church, 11026 State Route 22

2/20/2021: 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cambridge Area YMCA Family Center, 1301 Clairmont Ave

2/23/2021: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street

2/23/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church, 136 E.8th Street

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Harrison

Cadiz

2/24/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Cadiz Volunteer Fire Department, 254 East Market Street

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Highland

Hillsboro

2/20/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Fall Creek Friends Church, 11345 Karnes Rd

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Hocking

Logan

2/23/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 258 E. Hunter St

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Licking

Etna

2/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Daybreak Church, 1226 Pike Street

Granville

2/23/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 110 W. Broadway

Heath

2/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Indian Mound Mall, 771 S. 30th St

Johnstown

2/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Ascension Worship Center, 555 South Main St

Newark

2/16/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

2/17/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., YMCA-Licking County, 470 W. Church St.

2/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

2/21/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Newark, 50 North 2nd Street

2/23/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

2/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Trek Brewing Company, 1486 Granville Rd

2/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Licking Blood Donation Center, 1272 West Main Street, Doctors Park Building 5 - South

2/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., TrueCore, 215 Deo Drive

Pataskala

2/23/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Licking County Family YMCA, 355 West Broad Street

2/24/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Tri Village Christian Church, 7509 E. Broad St SW

Utica

2/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Utica Church of Christ, 115 North Central Avenue

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Madison

London

2/19/2021: 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., St. Patrick Church, 61 S. Union Street

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Muskingum

Dresden

2/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Northgate Church of Dresden, 10516 Frazeysburg Road

Zanesville

2/16/2021: 1:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

2/19/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

2/22/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 830 Military Road

2/24/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Secrest Auditorium, 334 Shinnick Street

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Perry

New Lexington

2/19/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Senior Citizen Center, 520 1st St.

2/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., In Memory of Jackie Theisen-Ellis, 120 N. High St

Somerset

2/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Somerset American Legion, 107 East Gay St.

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Pickaway

Circleville

2/17/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 135 East Mound Street

South Bloomfield

2/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., South Bloomfield Community Blood Drive, 5000 Park Place

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Ross

Bainbridge

2/18/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Paint Valley High School, 7454 U.S. Route 50

Chillicothe

2/19/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Adena Regional Medical Center, 446 Hospital Road

2/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., South Central Ohio Chapter, 181 N Bridge St

Kingston

2/17/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Zane Trace High School, 946 St. Rt. 180

About blood donation

Simply 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.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% 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.