April is National Donate Life Month 

Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio – The City of Cuyahoga Falls and the Natatorium SUBWAY® announce a very special partnership to address the shortage of blood in northeast Ohio. 

On Thursday, April 14^th, the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium will host a Red Cross blood mobile.  An open blood drive for the general public will run from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.  All presenting blood donors will receive a coupon for a free, regular six-inch sub sandwich, redeemable at the Natatorium SUBWAY® for a limited time. 

If you are extremely busy, committed to donating blood and an eligible type-O, A-negative or B-negative donor, double-red cell donation will be available during this drive.  Each procedure lets you give more of the product that is needed most by patients.  Although double-red cell donation takes about 20-30 minutes longer than a whole-blood donation, you can donate approximately every four months versus 56 days with a whole-blood donation.  With all of your platelets and plasma returned to you along with some saline, you don’t lose the liquid portion of your blood and may feel more hydrated after your donation.

John Schmitt, manager of the Natatorium SUBWAY® and a kidney transplant patient, understands the benefit of blood donations.  “For me, my first-hand experience with the need of a donor kidney 16 years ago says it all…Northeast Ohio at this time is experiencing a critical blood shortage. Please step forward during this very important time of need to give blood, the true gift of life.” 

Whether it’s donating delicious sandwiches to a local event or supporting charitable causes, thousands of dedicated SUBWAY® franchise owners around the globe, like John, are proud to give back to the people who support them.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in general good health.  Blood may be donated every 56 days.

For more information visit redcrossblood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS.