The community is invited to donate blood in memory of longtime Toledo radio personality Harvey J. Steele at the Harvey J. Steele Memorial Holiday Blood Drive, Tuesday, December 23, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Perrysburg, 6165 Levis Commons Boulevard. The blood drive is sponsored by Cumulus Radio Toledo and WNWO NBC 24.
Steele was a Toledo radio personality for more than 30 years, spending much of his career as part of the Shores and Steele duo on K100. Harvey was quick-witted, goofy, generous and a friend to everyone. He also was a tireless champion for organ and blood donation, as a liver transplant and blood products gifted him another 20 years of life. He volunteered countless hours to Life Connection of Ohio, a non-profit that promotes and facilitates organ donation. His efforts were recognized by the United Network for Organ Sharing in 2016 when he received the organization’s prestigious National Donor Memorial Award for Excellence.
Busy holiday schedules, seasonal illnesses and winter weather can often disrupt the ability of the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months. Steele’s family and friends encourage the community to give blood in his memory and help local patients. All who come to give at this blood drive will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last. To make an appointment, visit RedCross-Blood.org and enter code “HJSHoliday“ or call 1-800RED CROSS (1-800-7332767).
How to donate blood 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 checkin. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in Ohio), 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 RedCross-Blood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.
