American Red Cross and Blue Jackets partner for month long campaign

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the American Red Cross are once again coming together for the month of September to collect lifesaving blood and give out special Blue Jackets gifts. When you donate blood or platelets with the Red Cross in Central Ohio during September you will receive the following gifts.

• An exclusive buy one, get one free ticket offer for the following Blue Jackets games.

o October 16 vs. Detroit Red Wings

o October 20 vs. Calgary Flames

o October 24 vs. Anaheim Ducks

o November 2 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

• A special "I Donated Blood Today" Blue Jackets donor appreciation sticker.

All donors will also be entered into weekly drawings for a Columbus Blue Jackets prize pack each week in September. Prize packs include autographed memorabilia, a ticket voucher to a mutually agreed upon game, and one ride on the Zamboni.

"The Blue Jackets are proud to partner once again with the Red Cross to aid the organization at a critical time of need through our annual blood drive," said Andee Cochren, Blue Jackets Senior Director of Fan Development & Community Programs. "With the help of The 5th Line, we can donate thousands of units of blood to rebuild the supply and support patients in need."

The campaign caps off with a blood drive at Nationwide Arena on Friday, September 29. The drive runs from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the activity center in the arena where all donors will receive the buy one, get one free ticket offer and Columbus Blue Jackets sticker. To make an appointment go to www.redcrossblood.org, download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) and use the sponsor code: CBJGivesBack.

"We are so excited to continue this partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets," said Wendy Yarbrough, Regional Donor Services Executive for the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region. "Year after year the Blue Jackets help us get the blood and platelets we need to save lives throughout the region with this amazing campaign. Their continued support is critical in our ability to deliver the mission of the organization and we're looking forward to continuing this for years to come."

Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.

More information about the Blue Jackets and the upcoming 2023-24 NHL season can be found at BlueJackets.com

How to donate blood

Simply download the 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 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.

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows high standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions - including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status - have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.