Students, staff, and volunteers rolled up their sleeves at Elida High School on Wednesday for their winter blood drive. This was the first year the FFA students at Elida partnered with the Versiti Blood Center of Ohio. School staff, students, as well as community members, came in to help do their part against the national blood shortage. During the cold winter months, blood drives can be vital to the blood supply issue, and every drop counts for those in need. For the students at Elida, helping those in need is what it's all about.

October 31, 2024, Press Release from Solvita: DAYTON, Ohio – Step up and donate to begin the season of giving and get a free bundle of holiday socks when you register to donate at these upcoming Auglaize County Crown Equipment blood drives: Crown Equipment community blood drive Wednesday, Nov. 13 from 7 to 11 a.m. at Plant 4, 710 W. Monroe St., New Bremen. Crown Equipment community blood drive Thursday, Nov. 14 from 7 to 11 a.m. at 075787 state Route 219, New Knoxville. Schedule a blood donation with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling (937) 461-3220, or at www.donortime.com.

Vantage students lent a hand and an arm for the annual United Way Day of Caring. Vantage students have been helping out the United Way of Van Wert County for over two decades during their day of caring. On Friday, they helped by giving blood and assisting the Red Cross at the blood drive. The students are glad that they took part in helping their community.

Solvita sponsored the first blood drive of the school year over at Elida High School. This is the first year Solvita has partnered with Elida's Future Farmers of America (FFA) blood drive. The drive was open to students and the public and had over 40 people registered. There were snacks and free Texas Roadhouse peanuts and rolls on hand for anyone who donated. 

Donations of blood were coming in at a critical time of need today inside Mercy Health-St. Rita's. People stopped by St. Rita's to donate some of their blood for the Solvita Blood Center blood drive. Their generous blood donations will go toward any area of medicine where it is needed. The donations come following a dramatic decline in blood donations over the summer months in addition to critical shortages of certain types of blood.

August 29, 2024, Press Release from Solvita: DAYTON, Ohio – Get a chance to win tickets to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game by donating at the Mercy Health - St. Rita's Medical Center community blood drive Tuesday, Sept. 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Physician and Cafe Conference Room, 730 W. Market St., Lima.

There remains a national shortage of blood and the American Red Cross teamed up with the Ohio State University in Lima, urging local residents to roll up their sleeves. The summer blood drive was held at the Perry Webb Building on campus Wednesday and was open to the public. Over the last 20 years, the number of people donating blood through the Red Cross has fallen by nearly 40%. People who came to donate at the branch received a Red Cross umbrella and with a valid e-mail also received an e-gift card for a movie pass from Fandango.

Summertime is historically a low time for blood donations, but hospitals have seen a higher demand lately, which is causing a shortage during one of the peak times of the year. AAA is predicting a record number of people hitting the road for the Fourth of July holiday, and with more people traveling, donations are expected to drop even more. At the same time, with more people out and about, the chance of more emergency room visits could increase over the holiday week. Solvita is urging that people take some time to donate, especially type O and B, which are at critical lows.

May 7, 2024, Press Release from the American Red Cross: INDIANA, May 7, 2024— When every second counts, blood products can provide lifesaving care. The American Red Cross asks the public to give blood or platelets during Trauma Awareness Month in May to keep hospitals prepared for all transfusion needs, including emergencies. Type O blood donors and donors giving platelets are especially needed right now. It’s the blood already on the shelves that can help save lives in an emergency. Book a time to give now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. Thanks to Sport Clips Haircuts, all who come to donate April 29-May 31 will get a coupon for a free haircut by email. Plus, those who come to give through May 19 will be automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two and VIP racing experience to the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Races at Darlington Raceway Labor Day weekend, including entry to the Sport Clips racetrack hospitality tent and a $1,000 gift card.