Powell, OH — Be the "pulse" of summer and donate blood! The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is partnering with Versiti Blood Center of Ohio to raise awareness about the need for lifesaving blood donations. As an official Zoo partner, Versiti will support the Pulse of Summer Blood Drive on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.
The blood drive will take place at the Zoo’s Africa Event Center located off the main parking lot, and appointments are available to book online now from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. As a thank you for their important contributions, all blood donors will receive a BOGO Zoombezi Bay ticket and a portable Bluetooth speaker (while supplies last).
Anyone 17 years or older who is in general good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to donate blood. (In fact, donors can also donate blood every 56 days!) Parental consent is required for 16-year-olds to donate. Appointments are preferred to ensure a quick and convenient donation, but walk-in donors are also welcome. The entire process takes about an hour. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date. Donors are also encouraged to eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before donating.
Blood is precious and perishable, and the need for blood donors is vital. Every 2 seconds, someone in the United States is in need of blood. By donating blood, you are helping to save up to three lives!
Versiti is also a supporting partner of ZOMBIEzi Bay for the 2021-2024 season. For additional updates about the Columbus Zoo, the animals, events, and more, be sure to follow the Zoo’s social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and visit us at ColumbusZoo.org.
###
About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species worldwide, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Club. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact, annually contributing privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator’s prestigious 4-star rating. For more information, please visit ColumbusZoo.org.
About Versiti
Versiti, a national leader in blood health innovation, was formed with the mission to improve the health of patients and enable the success of our healthcare partners nationally. We provide innovative, value-added solutions in the fields of transfusion medicine, transplantation, and blood-related diseases to meet the needs of each of our customers. The collective efforts across Versiti result in improved patient outcomes, expanded access to care, and cost efficiencies for healthcare systems nationwide. For more information or a complete listing of upcoming blood drives near you, visit versiti.org/oh or call 1-800-485-6594.
