CINCINNATI — Greater Cincinnati’s regional blood bank is hosting one of its biggest events of the year next week, hoping to attract hundreds of donors to address the region’s urgent need for platelets and certain blood types.
What You Need To Know
- The 12th annual Queen City Blood Drive is Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15
- Donors receive two tickets to a Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game and other giveaways
- Donating blood takes about an hour total
- A pint of donated blood can save or improve up to three lives, per Hoxworth Blood Center
Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati’s 12th annual Queen City Blood Drive is Tuesday, Feb. 14 and Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown.
All donors will receive several giveaways, including a free Queen City T-shirt and two tickets to an upcoming Cincinnati Cyclones hockey game. The event is a partnership with the Cyclones.
Hoxworth is also giving donors a Donatos Pizza voucher, a $10 Fleet Feet coupon and a Flying Pig bag, while supplies last.
Jackie Marschall, a spokesperson for Hoxworth, described the Queen City Blood Drive as one of the best-attended donation events every year.
“There’s no better way to celebrate our pride for the Queen City than by saving lives right here in the Tri-State area, especially at a time when blood collections are needed,” she said.
Hoxworth serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. The blood center collects more than 100,000 units of blood every year.
As the sole supplier of blood products to area hospitals in the Tri-State, Hoxworth must collect at least 450 units daily to meet demand, Marschall said. But reaching that number in January and February in can be a challenge, Marschall said, because of reasons ranging from flu season to inclement weather.
Right now, Hoxworth urgently needs Types O and A-positive donors, Marschall said. She stressed there’s also an urgent need for platelet donors. Those interested can make platelet appointments during the blood drive.
Dave Shardelow started donating blood every three months after he found out his father-in-law had cancer. But when he learned his AB-positive blood type is the universal type for platelets, his donation frequency jumped to every two weeks, he said.
To date, Shardelow has made almost 150 donations and donated more than 32 gallons of blood products so far, per Hoxworth Blood Center. He added he has no plans to stop soon.
“I make the time in my schedule, as I know the donation saves lives right here in the Cincinnati region,” Shardelow said.
The two-day blood drive is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 14, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Feb. 15.
Because of the popularity of this event, appointments are highly encouraged, Marschall said. Those interested can do so by calling 513-451-0910 or by scheduling online.
Complimentary parking is available at the garage at 605 Plum St.
