Healthy individuals are needed every day to maintain an adequate blood supply for patients in need. The community is invited to help save lives by donating blood at the annual Day of Caring Blood Drive in partnership with United Way of Van Wert, Vantage Career Center and Trinity Friends Church. People can donate blood on Friday, September 25 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Trinity Friends Church, 605 North Franklin Street, Van Wert, Ohio, 45891.

The American Red Cross is proud to partner with the Vantage Career Center for our High School Scholarship Program. Donating at this drive will help hospital patients in need, while also helping establish a scholarship fund to benefit students as they move on to higher education. To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code vwdoc or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Day of Caring Blood Drive

Friday, September 25

8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Trinity Friends Church

605 North Franklin St.

Van Wert, OH 45891

Presenting donors will receive a free American Red Cross t-shirt, while supplies last.  

In thanks, all who come to give Sept. 21-Oct. 18, 2026, will receive a $15 e-gift card to a merchant of choice! Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall for details. 

Donating blood is an easy way to help others and only takes about an hour. Blood is a perishable product that can only come from generous volunteers, and the Red Cross encourages donors to give blood every time they are eligible. Seasonal activities can disrupt normal routines, but donation appointments can’t fall off the calendar. Harvest hope for patients in need with a blood donation. 

How to donate blood

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross Indiana Region:
The American Red Cross of Indiana Region serves 6.9 million people in 104 counties in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio through its chapters: Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Greater Indianapolis (Regional Headquarters). The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit us at Redcross.org/Indiana or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @indianaredcross.