On July 17, the Columbus Crew and Versiti Blood Center of Ohio are teaming up for a blood drive dubbed the "Bleed Black and Gold Blood Drive." The event, aimed at tackling the critical blood shortage during the summer, will take place at the River Club at Lower.com Field from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ABC6 On Your Side reports that perks for blood donors include meeting Columbus Crew players, VIP stadium tours, and custom merchandise.
As confirmed by a Spectrum News press release, Stephanie Cedeño, the Crew’s director of community relations, said, "Our community is in significant need of blood donations during the summer months, and we know our supporters will show up to help save lives as they have time and time again." In a joint statement, Versiti emphasized the community’s effort, with EVP and Chief Marketing Officer Gretchen Jameson adding, "The inaugural Bleed Black and Gold blood drive is more than a moment — it’s a movement." She highlighted that when fans roll up their sleeves, they'll bring hope to nearly 900 patients.
To encourage donations, the first 200 participants at the blood drive will be given exclusive "Bleed Black and Gold" T-shirts, and donors can schedule an appointment by calling Versiti or visiting their website, as suggested by ABC6 On Your Side. Versiti Blood Center serves more than 70 hospitals in Ohio, making the blood drive a vital part of healthcare support in the state, according to Spectrum News.
Looking ahead, a blood donation competition is set from August 1 through August 25, pitting the Columbus Crew against FC Cincinnati in the "Crew vs. FC Cincinnati Blood Drive Competition." Announced by Here Columbia, the competition will award a trophy to the team with the most units collected. Eager to get involved, donors are encouraged to register online, where their contributions will be added to their preferred team’s total.
Finally, hospitals during the summer months face challenges due to the decline in blood donations caused by people engaging in travel and other vacation activities. Despite the drop in donors, the need for blood remains constant. To deal with this shortage, the Columbus Crew and Versiti Blood Center of Ohio call upon the community to donate blood and ensure hospitals have the supplies necessary to provide adequate patient care.
