COLUMBUS — The American Red Cross is asking the public to start the season off with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation. While the leaves turn, the need for blood never changes. Those who give this fall play an important role in keeping the blood supply high enough to help patients counting on blood products for care– especially ahead of the busy holiday season. Book a time to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a thank-you, the Red Cross is offering these exciting opportunities for donors:

· All who come to give in September, automatically receive a buy-one-get-one ticket offer for select Columbus Blue Jackets home games and be entered to win one of five weekly Blue Jackets prize packets which includes autographed memorabilia from players.

· All who come to give through Sept. 30 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a VIP NASCAR racing experience, including two tickets to a 2023 Sport Clips Haircuts-sponsored race of the winner’s choice, round-trip airfare for two, up to a three-night hotel stay, and entry to a Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent, if available, plus a $750 gift card, thanks to Sport Clips.

· Those who come to give in September will also receive a coupon for a free haircut by email, also thanks to Sport Clips. Details are available at rcblood.org/racetogive.

· All who come to give Oct. 1-31, 2022, will receive a $5 e-Gift Card by email to a merchant of choice.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Sept. 28-Oct. 15:

Crawford County

Bucyrus

Sept. 29: 7:45 a.m. – 1:45 p.m., Bucyrus High School, 900 W. Perry Street

Oct. 4: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Amvets Post 27 – Bucyrus, 235 E Galen St

G

Galion

Oct. 7: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Northmor High School, 7819 Ohio 19

Oct. 11: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Galion Alliance Church, 430 Portland Way N

North Robinson

Sept. 29: 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., Colonel Crawford High School, 2303 State Route 602

Richland County

Bellville

Oct. 4: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Saint Paul Lutheran Church, 48 Church Street

Butler

Sept. 29: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Community Building, 21555 Pealer Mill Rd

Mansfield

Oct. 5: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

Oct. 7: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Area Agency on Aging, 2131 Park Avenue W

Oct. 12: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

Oct. 13: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Schmidt Security Pro, 241 Mansfield Industrial Parkway

Oct. 14: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Richland Mall RSMO, 2209 Richland Mall

Shelby

Oct. 12: 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shelby High School, 1 Whippet Way

Oct. 14: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Pioneer Career & Tech Center, 27 Ryan Rd