March is Red Cross Month; local blood drives announced

This March, the American Red Cross, Northern Ohio Region, which also serves Monroe County, is honoring those who make its mission possible during the 80th annual Red Cross Month celebration. This is a national tradition that began in 1943 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the first Red Cross Month proclamation.

Individuals can take part in the celebration by donating money, volunteering, giving blood or platelets, or taking a lifesaving skills course such as first aid, CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator), Mike Parks, regional CEO for the Red Cross in Toledo, said.

“When help can’t wait during emergencies, people can rally together to provide relief and hope for neighbors in need,” Parks said in a press release. “This humanitarian spirit is at the heart of our community, and we are proud to honor all those who make our mission possible.”

People can take part in Red Cross Month by visiting redcross.org. March 22 is the annual Red Cross Giving Day campaign; to learn more, visit redcross.org/givingday. Proceeds help provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional support and other assistance for people affected by disasters.

“Red Cross shelters feed and provide comfort to victims of disasters, and it supplies about 40% of the nation's blood. Home fires are the most frequent disaster response for the Red Cross, which is also working to help families stay safe by installing free smoke alarms during its Sound the Alarm home fire safety events in at-risk communities. Volunteers are needed for events occurring April 22-May 6 in northern Ohio — register and learn more at redcross.org/noh,” the Red Cross said.

All who give blood, platelets or plasma March 1-31 will receive a $10 Visa prepaid card by email. Plus, they'll be automatically entered for a chance to win a $3,000 Visa prepaid card. There will be five winners. Visit rcblood.org/help for details.

Upcoming area blood donation opportunities:

Dundee: 3 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dundee Middle School, 420 Ypsilanti St.

Ida: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 21, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 8295 Van Aiken St.; 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 30, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1920 Lewis Ave.

Lambertville: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23, Lambertville United Methodist, 8165 Douglas Road.

Milan: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 23, American Legion Post 268, 44 Wabash St.

Monroe: 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, St. Paul United Methodist Church, 201 S. Monroe St.; noon to 6 p.m. March 7, VFW Post 1138, 400 Jones Ave.; 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 11, Monroe County Rod & Gun Club, 6280 Lighthouse Road; noon to 5 p.m. March 17, Ellis Branch Library, 3700 S. Custer Road; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21, Monroe County Community College, Warrick Student Center, Building S, 1555 S. Raisinville Road; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 27, Moose Lodge 884, 1320 N. Macomb St.

Newport: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 14, Dixie Skateland, 5179 N. Dixie Highway.

Petersburg: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31, New Life Church, 6023 Summerfield Road.

Temperance: noon to 5:30 p.m. March 24, NorthWest Christian Church, 1590 W. Temperance Road; noon to 5 p.m. March 29, Bedford Junior High School, 8405 Jackman Road.

In Toledo, people can donate blood at the Red Cross Blood Donation Center, 3510 Executive Parkway, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org or visit Twitter at @RedCross.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: March is Red Cross Month; local blood drives announced