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This page last updated: October 25, 1999.

How to be a Red Cross Blood Donor?

Each day the Northeast Ohio American Red Cross Blood Services must collect 1,000 units of whole blood to meet the needs of sick and hospitalized people in our area. Donating blood is easy, relatively painless and takes only about 45 minutes. There are daily blood drives throughout our area where you can donate up to every 56 days. (Please bring proof of positive ID.)

Apheresis donors are also needed. Apheresis is a special process which allows the Red Cross to remove only certain components of your blood. This process does take a bit longer (2 hours), but can serve the needs of multiple blood recipients. When you are an apheresis donor, you can donate as often as every two weeks. The Apreresis donation center is located in Fairlawn at 3085 W. Market St.

For more information: Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE

Armed Forces Emergency Services

Armed Forces Emergency Services provides an emergency communication/casework channel between active-duty military personnel and their families by verifying emergency conditions, states of health, etc., of service people and/or their families in Summit County. The Red Cross verifies information for the military so that they may use this information to make decisions regarding military leaves.

Last year alone, the Summit County Chapter assisted our miltary by transmitting more than 671 energency communications.

This service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, and transmits or receives over 800,000 messages a year, nationally...at no cost to sevice personnel or their families.

Emergency Services to Honorably Discharged Veterans

The Summit County Chapter also has programs available to assist Veterans faced with individual or family emergencies. To learn more about assistance available to service members and veterans, contact the Summit County Red Cross Chapter at (330) 535-6136 Ext. 227 between 8:30 and 4:30 Monday through Friday.

If you have an emergency and need Red Cross assistance, help is available 24 hours every day, through our duty workers who can be reached by calling: (330) 535-6131.

First Aid and CPR Training

People need to know what to do in an emergency before medical help arrives. Since you may be faced with an emergency in your lifetime, it's important that you know how to recognize an emergency and how to respond.

For over 80 years, the American Red Cross has trained millions of people in First Aid and CPR. These First Aid programs are designed to enhance understanding, confidence, retention of skills, and first aid knowledge. American Red Cross instructors issue more than 7 million certificates each year in first aid, CPR, swimming, water safety and HIV/AIDS education. Classes are offered at various locations throughout Summit County. For more information or to register for a class, contact the Health Services Department of the Summit County Chapter at (330) 535-6131 Ext 237.

Free Community Dinners

On the fourth Sunday of every month, (with the exception of December) a free, cooked meal is provided by the Summit County Red Cross Chapter at 501 W. Market St. Dinner is served in the basement area from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

The dinner schedule for the remainder of the 1999 calendar year is as follows:

Everyone is welcome, but a special invitation goes out to low income families, senior citizens, single parent families, homeless families or anyone in need of a hot meal. These meals are made possible with the efforts and assistance of Red Cross voluteers. Special thanks to the voluteers from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, who prepare the meals.

If you would like to volunteer, please call Deb Lancaster at: (330) 535-6131 Ext. 272

If you have additional comments or questions, contact Anita Varney- Maloney at the Summit County American Red Cross Chapter (330) 535-6136 Ext. 222. You may also send any comments or questions via E-Mail to: summit@crossnet.org

Volunteer Opportunities

We are a community-based, voluntary organization governed, supported, and principally staffed by volunteers who work with paid staff in all programs and services.

Americans continue to help others through the American Red Cross. They have helped the organization fulfill its mission both at home and abroad over the years through generous contributions of money and don- ations of blood and time. In turn, Red Cross workers have responded daily to help people avoid emergencies, prepare for those that might occur, and cope with those that do. If you would like to contribute some of your time and energy, contact our office by calling:

Summit County American Red Cross (330) 535-6131 Ext.271

Transportation Department

On any given weekday in Summit County, numerous rides to medical appointments are provided to area residents who are in need of Red Cross transportation services. The Summit County Chapter maintains a fleet of vehicles for the express purpose of providing this free service to those who qualify because of hardship or illness.

Our drivers are all volunteers, who give of their time so that the medical needs of others may be served. If you wish to learn more about our Transportation Department, call (330) 535-6131 Ext 210

Disaster Services

Since 1881, people have turned to the American Red Cross for emergency sevices. Today 1.2 million trained and dedicated American Red Cross volunteers, young and old, are helping their neighbors across the country every day.

Although it is not a government agency, the American Red Cross is chartered by Congress to provide special services to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and to disaster victims. American Red Cross workers assist our men and women in the Armed Forces and their families in emer- gencies. They are at the scene of more than 40,000 disasters a year, from house fires to devastating floods and tornadoes. They also teach their neighbors lifesaving skills in Red Cross CPR, first aid, water safety, and health courses. They collect about 6 million units of blood yearly in local blood drives. They work with sister Red Cross societies around the world to help victims of natural and man-made calamities.

To help disaster victims, you may register for training courses by calling the Disaster Services office at the Summit County Chapter. Phone: (330) 535-6131 You may also contribute to the American Red Cross by sending a check to: