The American Red Cross, Cleveland Clinic in partnership with Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse schedule additional blood drives to ensure a stable supply throughout COVID-19 pandemic

The Red Cross thanks donors from across northeast Ohio who answered the call to give at the blood drive held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on March 27^th. One hundred thirty- five pints of blood were collected helping to save 405 lives and making it possible to meet immediate patient needs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

To continue to meet ongoing needs, the Red Cross and Cleveland Clinic encourage healthy individuals to keep scheduled donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic.

Two additional blood drives will be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Tuesday, April 7^th and Friday, April 24^th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Donors must have a scheduled appointment to assure proper social distancing.

To sign up, click the link below:

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=Rocket or go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: Rocket or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Free street parking is available on East 6^th and Eagle Avenue. (one-hour parking restrictions not in place for blood drive)

The Red Cross will also host another downtown blood drive at ALOFT on April 14^th (Sponsor code: WNCX) To find blood drives in your area, go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter your zip code.

How to donate blood:
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 feed and provide 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.