For the last 25 years, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the American Red Cross have partnered to host blood drives where CBJ fans and the community come together to donate lifesaving blood products. In 2025 we celebrated that partnership with another successful blood drive at Nationwide Arena and another great campaign where CBJ fans and blood donors received a special ticket offer for donating and had the chance to win CBJ prize packs.

“As we celebrate 25 years of partnership with the American Red Cross, we’re reminded of the incredible impact our community can have when we come together. The Red Cross continues to meet critical needs for families across Central Ohio, and we’re proud to support their life-saving mission through this blood drive,” said Kathryn Dobbs, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“For 25 years the Columbus Blue Jackets have been a wonderful partner helping us deliver our mission in Central Ohio,” Adam Reaves, regional donor services executive for the American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region said. “The dedication of the organization, from the front office staff, to the players, all the way down to the fans, exemplifies what happens when communities come together to help alleviate suffering.”

Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,500 hospitals nationwide.

More information about the Blue Jackets can be found at BlueJackets.com.

How to donate blood

Simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. 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 have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

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About the American Red Cross:

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 redcross.org/Columbus and join us on X and Facebook.