American Red Cross Looking For Blood Donors This Halloween

More than 400 people have already signed up for the Halloween blood drive at 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 Monday 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.

"We’re encouraging all eligible blood donors to make and keep their appointment to give at this special blood drive," said Katy Berger, the Red Cross communications associate for the northern Ohio region. "The need for blood is constant and volunteer blood donors are key to ensuring that there is blood on the shelves to help save lives."

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.

Appointments are strongly recommended for this blood drive. Donors can schedule by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code ‘lamalfa’.