Cuyahoga Falls is Site of County's Largest Blood Drive

Prize packages, entertainment, special refreshments and goody bags are lined up for those who donate blood during the third annual Holiday Blood Drive set for 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 22 in downtown Cuyahoga Falls.

The event – the largest blood drive held in Summit County – is hosted by the and at the Front Street hotel.

Katy Berger, communications associate for the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, said the holiday drive has grown each year. The 2009 Cuyahoga Falls event attracted a crowd of about 600 people. , the Red Cross collected 780 pints of blood from more than 850 donors in a 12-hour time span.

"It's such a fun blood drive. There's a festive spirit in the air and people are excited to be part of a giving event during the holidays," Berger said. "When you give blood or platelets, you’re giving someone hope. It’s hard to think of a more perfect gift ... that costs nothing but a little bit of your time.”

All who donate blood will be automatically entered to win the grand prize of a Home Theater Experience Package, which includes a 42” TV, an Xbox 360 and Blu Ray disc player. Two runners-up will receive an Apple iPad 2.

Donors will also have the chance to win raffle prizes throughout the day, including a Sheraton Suites New Year’s Eve Overnight & Party Package for two and a Cuyahoga Falls Parks & Recreation Summerpac valued at $139!

Donors will be treated to special refreshments, holiday entertainment and each will receive a free goody bag that includes a pixie poinsettia from The Greenhouse Florist in Hudson and coupons to local businesses and restaurants.

“Last year, more than 850 volunteer blood donors came forward to give at this special holiday event. Because each pint that’s donated can help up to three people, the lives of nearly 2,500 patients in need of blood transfusions may have been touched,” Berger said.

The Red Cross reports one in 10 patients who arrive at a hospital needs blood. Berger said type O negative blood is the most sought-after blood type by local doctors because of its universal use.

Since the Northern Ohio Region of the American Red Cross serves 19 counties, it needs to collect about 900 units of blood every day to meet patie demand in the 57 hospitals it serves.

So why is the largest blood drive in Summit County held just days before Christmas?

"We always have a need, but during certain times of the year – particulary around holidays – we see a dip in donations. People are shopping for gifts, going to parties and traveling. Donating blood is not the first thing on their minds. Having this drive two or three days before Christmas has shown that people are really in a giving mood," Berger said.

The holiday blood drive is sponsored by the City of Cuyahoga Falls, Sheraton Suites, Gavin Scott Salon & Spa, Rubber City Radio Group, Summa Health System, and the Village of Silver Lake.

Appointments are strongly recommended for this blood drive. Donors can schedule by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by visiting redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code ‘summa.'

In addition to supplying nearly half of the nation’s blood, the American Red Cross teaches lifesaving skills, provides international humanitarian aid, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization—not a government agency—and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.