Those planning to attend the Lorain County Fair, not only will enjoy animal exhibits and funnel cake — they can save someone’s life by donating blood, according to a news release.
Nonprofit blood services provider Vitalant is experiencing a critical summer blood shortage and is urging all eligible donors to give blood to help area patients like 6-year-old Logan Casper from Wellington, who was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia, the release said.
Logan is undergoing chemotherapy, and has received multiple blood and platelet transfusions which would not have been possible without generous blood donors, according to the release.
“You never think it is going to happen to you then boom — in a blink of an eye your world is turned upside down,” said his mom, Nicole, in the release. “As a phlebotomist, I knew blood donation was important.
“But until Logan was diagnosed with leukemia, I just didn’t realize how important it is for people to roll up their sleeve and give. It is scary to think about blood not being available for my child.”
The Vitalant Bloodmobile will be set up from Aug. 20-27 near Gate 1 at the Lorain County Fairgrounds, 23000 Fairgrounds Road in Wellington.
Donors should bring an identification card such as a driver’s license, the release said.
To sign up, visit vitalant.org/LCFair.
As a special thank you, those who come to donate at the Lorain County Fair will receive a limited edition “GOAT” T-shirt, the release said.
In addition, donors will be automatically entered to win one of five $5,000 prepaid gift cards in the Back-2-School Shopping Spree Giveaway, according to the release.
Donors who are opted in to the donor recognition program also will receive enough points to redeem for a $10 gift card, the release said.
Learn more and make an appointment to give at vitalant.org, download and use the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Donors who meet all eligibility requirements can be as young as 16 with parental consent, according to the release.
Vitalant is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies health care organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research, the release said.
Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to the nonprofit’s lifesaving mission, the release said.
Learn more at vitalant.org.