CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video in the player above regarding the blood shortage was originally published on June 28, 2021.
The Cleveland Browns are joining forces with the American Red Cross for a blood drive at 12 locations throughout Northeast Ohio later this month.
The annual Cleveland Browns First and Ten Blood Drive will be held Saturday, July 31. One of the 12 locations includes FirstEnergy Stadium from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. See a list of all 12 donation sites at the bottom of this story.
“All presenting blood donors at each blood drive will receive a commemorative Browns T-shirt (while supplies last) and will also have the chance to win Browns memorabilia,” according to a press release from the Red Cross.
Browns fans nationwide are also invited to participate for a chance to win. Details on how to record a blood donation for the contest can be found at ClevelandBrowns.com.
“In addition, all who come to give will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card by email and have a chance to win gas for a year.”
Since its inception in June 2014, officials say the Cleveland Browns First and Ten Blood Drive has resulted in the collection of more than 11,000 pints of blood.
“Through First and Ten, the Browns are the only NFL club to promote a long-term volunteering program that unifies the team and its entire fan base, with the goal of impacting every individual’s city across the globe, as well as the franchise’s local community,” according to the press release. “To date, more than 2.75 million hours of volunteering have been pledged through First and Ten.”
The annual Browns blood drive comes as the Red Cross reports an ongoing “severe blood shortage that is negatively affecting blood product availability across the country.”
“Donors of all blood types – especially type O and those giving platelets – are urged to make an appointment to give now to help ensure hospital shelves are stocked with blood products to meet patient needs.”
You can schedule an appointment to donate blood in one of the following ways:
- Red Cross Blood Donor App
- RedCrossBlood.org and entering code “BROWNS”
- Calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)
- Enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device
“In most cases, those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine can donate,” officials said. “However, knowing the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine they received is important in determining donation eligibility.”
Here are all 12 blood drive sites for the 2021 Cleveland Browns donation event on July 31:
- FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland: 100 Alfred Lerner Way from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- American Red Cross Wayne County in Wooster: 244 West South Street from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Ehrnfelt Recreation Center in Strongsville: 18100 Royalton Road from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- Sandusky Mall: 4314 Milan Road from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- Kent Police Department: 3012 South Depeyster from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Massillon Recreation Center: 505 Erie Street N. from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- Medina Community Recreation Center: 855 Weymouth Road from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- Omega Psi Phi – Church of the Saviour in Cleveland Heights: 2537 Lee Road from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Warren: 2860 East Market Street from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
- American Red Cross Parma Blood Donation Center: 5585 Pearl Road from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- American Red Cross Summit Blood Donation Center in Akron: 501 West Market Street from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
- American Red Cross Warzel Blood Donation Center in Cleveland: 3747 Euclid Avenue from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in,” according to the Red Cross. “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 must meet certain height and weight requirements.”