In partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, Anheuser-Busch and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the American Red Cross thanks donors from across northeast Ohio who continue to answer the call to give blood, making it possible to meet immediate patient needs during the COVID-19 outbreak. Two blood drives will be held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Thursday, May 14th and Thursday, May 28th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The work of the Red Cross never stops and during this coronavirus crisis the focus remains on delivering its lifesaving mission each day. There is no known end date in the fight against COVID-19 and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors to ensure blood products for patients in need of transfusions, including those who need surgery, cancer treatments or trauma victims are readily available for weeks to come.

To continue to meet these needs, the Red Cross asks healthy individuals to keep scheduled donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic.  

To date,  at three blood drives held at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on March 27th, April 7th and April 24th, 266 pints of blood were collected to help save up to 798 lives. Donors will have the opportunity to give at the two additional blood drives that have been scheduled for this month at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Donors must have a scheduled appointment to assure proper social distancing. To sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/OneTeam or go to RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: oneteam or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Free street parking is available on East 6th and Eagle Avenue. (one-hour parking restrictions not in place for blood drive)

Anheuser-Busch, the country's largest sponsor of live sports and entertainment has redirected sports and entertainment investments to its non-profit partners to respond to the COVID-19 public health crisis. The company has a longstanding tradition of providing support to its neighbors and communities in their times of need throughout its more than 165-year history.

As part of a $5 million donation to the American Red Cross, Anheuser-Busch alongside its sports partners identified available arenas and stadiums to be used for temporary blood drive centers, which includes Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse home to the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers. 

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device 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.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.