By: Ananya Adur, Indiana Red Cross Volunteer
As summer approaches, many people are preparing for family vacations, spending time with loved ones, enjoying time outside, and so much more, which leads to a decline in blood and platelet donations. The American Red Cross and Cedar Fair theme parks are teaming up to encourage blood donors to help those in need. Each person that volunteers to donate blood will receive a free ticket to a Cedar Fair theme park as a thank you while supplies last. Tickets are valid for entry to participating U.S. Cedar Fair parks, including Cedar Point, Kings Island and others, while supplies last.
“The summer months are a crucial time for blood and platelet donations as donations tend to decline due to summer vacations and travel among regular donors,” said Julie Brady, Donor Services Executive for the Red Cross Indiana Blood Services Region. “The Red Cross is grateful to blood and platelet donors for coming together to support patients during this challenging time.”
Below is a list of all the Cedar Fair Blood Drives in Indiana and Ohio.
| Indiana North | ||||||
| Date | Drive Sponsor Name | Street Address | City | State | Zip Code | Hours |
| 8/4 | GracePoint | 2590 W. Morthland Dr. | Valparaiso | IN | 46385 | 9am-1pm |
| TBD | IN Dept. of Transportation | 315 E. Boyd | LaPorte | IN | 46350 | TBD |
The American Red Cross supplies approximately 40 percent of the country’s blood, and in order to continue doing so we need more people to roll up their sleeves and donate, helping those in need every single day. In order to donate blood, healthy individuals can make an appointment through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting the website RedCrossBlood.org, calling the number 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on an Alexa device. If you are donating blood, please make sure to schedule an appointment prior to arriving, and wear a face mask while at the blood drive.
At the check-in, a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two alternate forms of identification are necessary, otherwise you will not be permitted to donate. People who are eligible to donate must be 17 years old (or 16 with parental consent where allowed by state law) with a weight of at least 110 pounds and in good health. Donors who are 18 years old or younger also have specific weight and health requirements in order to donate blood. To save time at blood drives, donors can also complete their pre-donation health history questionnaire online. This can be done the day of the blood drive prior to arriving at the site. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.ord/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.