Community Corner

American Red Cross Looking For Blood Donors This Halloween

Dracula won't be the only one out for blood this Oct. 30

Hundreds of people have already signed up for the annual Halloween-season blood drive at LaMalfa Centre but there's still room for more.

The American Red Cross needs 900 units of blood every day to replenish local hospitals' supplies, so each donation matters.

The donors who give on Tuesday -- yes, the event is on the 30th instead of the 31st this year -- at LaMalfa will receive a free T-shirt from the Red Cross, as well as a free meal and a chance to win an iPad from Euclid Hospital.

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"The LaMalfa blood drive is a seasonal highlight in the community, with great costumes, wonderful food and giveaways," said Christy Sabaka, the communications manager for the American Red Cross.

"Each year the community of Mentor and the surrounding areas demonstrate their giving spirit to help meet the needs of patients across northern Ohio."

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For your convenience appointments are strongly recommended for this special blood drive. While walk-in donors are welcome and will be accommodated, appointments will be given priority.

Making an appointment is easy by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code ‘lamalfa’.

  • Watch a video from last year's Halloween blood drive at LaMalfa.

The donated blood is given to people in car crashes, burn victims, surgery patients, organ transplant recipients, premature babies, cancer and sickle cell patients, as well as others.

Blood supplies constantly need to be replenished, because blood is perishable and has no substitute. Platelets and red blood cells only have a shelf life of five and 42 days, respectively, according to the American Red Cross.

People who are 17, or 16 with their parents' permission, and older who weigh at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate blood. Donors must bring identification to blood drives.


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