PIONEER, Ohio — The community is invited to give blood in memory of Kaleb McLaughlin as part of the Kaleb McLaughlin Memorial Ride and Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation Awareness Day. The blood drive will be held Saturday, July 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 307 in Pioneer.
Kaleb passed away on June 24, 2013 after being involved in an automobile accident. Hardworking and loyal, Kaleb was always trying to help others, such as through registering as an eye, tissue, and organ donor. For the third year running, his family hopes to promote organ and blood donation at a daylong event honoring Kaleb’s memory.
“Kaleb was an organ, eye, and tissue donor and we feel donating blood is just as important in saving lives,” said Kaleb’s mother, Kim. In addition to the blood drive, the Memorial Ride will feature a 5K run, silent auction and other drawings, children’s activities, both breakfast and lunch, local vendors and more. The entire community is invited to attend.
“Hosting this blood drive in his name is a wonderful way to remember Kaleb and honor his legacy of helping others,” said Stephanie Burris, account manager for the American Red Cross.
This blood drive comes at an important time of year. Blood and platelet donations often decline during the summer months when busy summer schedules and vacation plans can cause some donors to be less available to give. Additionally, blood donations at high school and college blood drives, which account for as much as 20 percent of blood donations during the school year, decline when many schools are out of session. But, the need for blood remains constant all summer long.
Third Annual Kaleb McLaughlin Memorial Blood Drive
Saturday, July 9
9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
American Legion Post 207
102 First St., Pioneer, OH 43554
To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS
Those who come to donate between now and Sept. 5 can receive an exclusive Cedar Fair ticket offer that helps support the Red Cross, and enter to win one of two grand prize packages for four to Knott’s Berry Farm in California or Cedar Point in Ohio. Blood drive participants can go to redcrossblood.org/cedarfair to purchase discounted tickets for gate admission and enter to win one of the two grand prize packages. For each ticket purchased through the website, Cedar Fair will donate $2 to the Red Cross to support its humanitarian mission. Terms and conditions apply and are available at redcrossblood.org/cedarfair.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) 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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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 donors can now 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, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
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