'Snow angels' needed: Hoxworth calling on blood donors

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati is offering blood donors a special reward for donating blood and replenishing the local blood supply after the recent bout of winter weather.

The snowstorm that shut down the Tri-State resulted in cancelled blood drives and missed donation appointments over the course of several days, with Hoxworth collecting barely half of the donations necessary for area hospitals. 

Now, Hoxworth Blood Center is offering all donors a $10 e-gift card when they donate blood between Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Sunday, Feb. 21. Donors will receive their $10 e-gift card via email within 72 hours following their donation.

“While the rest of us were cozying up and watching the snow earlier this week, patients in more than 30 local hospitals were still receiving lifesaving blood and platelet transfusions,” says Alecia Lipton, director of public relations for Hoxworth Blood Center. “The need for blood never stops, even for a snow day, which is why we are asking our community to brave the cold and visit one of our Neighborhood Donor Centers to roll up a sleeve.”

According to Lipton, Hoxworth Blood Center is the only provider of blood products in the Tri-State area, and must collect at least 400 units of blood and 50 units of platelets every day to meet the demand of local hospitals.

Hoxworth is also featuring the new “Refer a Friend” promotion during the month of February. Current Hoxworth donors can refer their friends and family to donate blood; should they donate, both individuals will receive a $5 e-gift card.

Appointments for blood donation are encouraged to maintain proper social distancing, and masks are required of all donors at Hoxworth Neighborhood Donor Centers and blood drives.

To schedule a donation, call Hoxworth at 513-451-0910 or visit www.hoxworth.org. To refer a friend, visit https://hoxworth.org/donors/refer.html.