CLEVELAND -- The American Red Cross has issued an “urgent” request for blood donations amid a supply shortage.
Officials say there were 28,000 fewer blood donations than what was needed in November and December. They blame the shortage on weather conditions, seasonal illnesses and holiday schedules.
“Even temporary disruptions to blood and platelet donations can diminish the availability for hospital patients,” said Christy Peters, external communications manager of the local Red Cross Blood Services Region. “It's the blood on the shelves that helps save lives in an emergency, and that's why we're asking eligible individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets today.”
While serving local hospitals is the first priority, the Red Cross can move blood products to where they're needed most. This allows donors throughout the country to contribute to the national blood supply and potentially help patients locally and in storm-affected areas.
While all blood types are urgently needed, there is a more critical need for the following blood and donation types right now:
- Platelets: The clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment and always in great demand.
- Type O negative: The blood type that can be transfused to almost everyone and is what doctors reach for in trauma situations.
- Type B negative: The blood type that can be transfused to type B Rh-positive and negative patients.
- Type AB: The plasma type that can be transfused to almost everyone and can be donated through a platelet or plasma donation, where available, or during a regular blood donation.
HOW TO HELP
Eligible donors can find a blood or platelet donation opportunity and schedule an appointment to donate by using the free Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
Donation appointments and completion of a RapidPass are encouraged to help speed up the donation process. RapidPass lets donors complete the pre-donation reading and answer the health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, by visiting redcrossblood.org/rapidpass from the convenience of a mobile device or computer, or through the Blood Donor App.
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Upcoming blood donation opportunities Jan. 8-31
ASHTABULA COUNTY
Andover
1/16/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Andover Christian Church, 200 Stillman Ave
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Ashtabula
1/12/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 4317 Park Ave.
1/13/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sons of Italy, 1412 Columbus Avenue
1/22/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., YMCA, 263 W. Prospect
1/23/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ashtabula County Medical Center, 2420 Lake Ave.
1/26/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saint John School, 7911 Depot Rd.
1/30/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Zaback Williams Ducro Funeral Homes, 500 West Prospect
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Conneaut
1/17/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., University Hospitals Conneaut Medical Center, 158 W Main St.
1/24/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 876 Grove St.
1/30/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5 p.m., Conneaut Human Resources Center, 327 Mill St.
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Geneva
1/12/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 89 South Broadway
1/19/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Northwest Ambulance District, 1480 S Broadway
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Jefferson
1/12/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jefferson First Church of the Nazarene, 55 E. Satin Street
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Kingsville
1/8/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Gageville United Methodist Church, 4063 St Rt 193 S
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Orwell
1/10/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., St. Mary's Church Hall, 103 North Maple St.
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CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Bay Village
1/16/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library Bay Village Branch, 502 Cahoon Road
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Beachwood
1/22/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m., Beachwood High School, 25100 Fairmount Blvd.
1/31/2018: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 26001 S. Woodland Blvd.
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Berea
1/21/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St Adalbert Church, 66 Adalbert St.
1/24/2018: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., Baldwin Wallace University, 120 East Grand St
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Brecksville
1/18/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Brecksville Community Center, One Community Drive
1/21/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Christ Redeemer Lutheran Church, 9201 Brecksville Rd.
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Broadview Heights
1/12/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Broadview Center, 9543 Broadview Road
1/18/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Heights, 2801 E Royalton Rd
1/23/2018: 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Brecksville Broadview Heights Middle School, 6376 Mill Road
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Chagrin Falls
1/22/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Federated Church UCC, 76 Bell Street
1/31/2018: 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Cleveland Clinic Family Health Center, 551 East Washington Street
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Cleveland
1/8/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., City Hall, 601 Lakeside Ave.
1/9/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/10/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., One Cleveland Center, 1375 E.9th St., Building Management
1/10/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/11/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/12/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/12/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Case Western Reserve Medical School, 2109 Adelbert
1/13/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/14/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., St Leo The Great Church, 4940 Broadview Road
1/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/15/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/15/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., St Patrick Church, 4427 Rocky River Drive
1/16/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., 200 Public Square, 200 Public Square, 3rd Floor
1/16/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/16/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., JACK ThistleDown Racino, 21501 Emery Rd.
1/17/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., PNC Center, 1900 East 9th St
1/17/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/18/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/19/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/20/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/21/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., St Rocco Church, 3205 Fulton Road
1/22/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/23/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., University Hospitals Rainbow Area, 11100 Euclid Ave.
1/23/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/24/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Cuyahoga County Courthouse, 1 Lakeside Avenue
1/24/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus, 2900 Community College Ave.
1/24/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/25/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., MetroHealth Medical Center, 2500 Metrohealth Drive
1/25/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/26/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/28/2018: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., La Sagrada Familia, 7719 Detroit Rd.
1/29/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/30/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
1/31/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., United Bank Building, 2012 W.25th Street
1/31/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Anthony J Celebrezze Federal Building, 1240 East 9th Street
1/31/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Warzel Blood Donation Center, 3636 Euclid Avenue
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Cleveland Heights
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd.
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Euclid
1/24/2018: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Euclid Hospital, 18901 Lakeshore Blvd
1/26/2018: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Euclid Public Library, 631 East 222nd Street
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Fairview Park
1/17/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fairview Recreation Center, 21225 Lorain Road
1/31/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bain Cabin, 21077 North Park Dr
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Gates Mills
1/14/2018: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., St Francis of Assisi Church, 6850 Mayfield Rd.
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Independence
1/9/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Sterling Talent Solutions, 4511 Rockside Road
1/10/2018: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Crown Centre II, 5001 Rockside Road
1/11/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kent State University College of Podiatric Medicine, 6000 Rockside Woods Blvd. North
1/19/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Rolta AdvizeX, 6450 Rockside Woods Blvd South, Corporate Plaza I Building
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Lakewood
1/22/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Lakewood Women's Club Pavilion, 14532 Lake Ave.
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Maple Heights
1/25/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Liberty Ford, 5500 Warrensville Center Rd
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Mayfield Heights
1/19/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Hillcrest Hospital, 6780 Mayfield Road
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Mayfield Village
1/10/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Rd.
1/18/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Mayfield Branch Library, 500 SOM Center
1/27/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Mayfield Village Civic Center, 6622 Wilson Mills Rd.
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Middleburg Heights
1/10/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Southwest General Health Center, 18697 Bagley Rd.
1/15/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Middleburg Hts Comm Center, 16000 Bagley Rd
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North Olmsted
1/19/2018: 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library North Olmsted Branch, 27403 Lorain Road
1/20/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Great Northern Mall, 4954 Great Northern Mall
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North Royalton
1/23/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library North Royalton Branch, 5071 Wallings Rd
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Parma
1/8/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/9/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/10/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/11/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/12/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/13/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/14/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/15/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/16/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/17/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/18/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/19/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/20/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/21/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/22/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/23/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/24/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/25/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library Parma Branch, 6996 Powers Blvd
1/25/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/26/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/27/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/28/2018: 7:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/29/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/30/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
1/31/2018: 12:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m., Parma Blood Donation Center, 5585 Pearl Road
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Pepper Pike
1/25/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ursuline College, 2550 Lander Road
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Rocky River
1/17/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rocky River Civic Center, 21016 Hilliard Rd.
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Seven Hills
1/19/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Seven Hills Cmnty Rec Center, 7777 Summitview Drive
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Shaker Heights
1/10/2018: 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Hathaway Brown School, 19600 N. Park Blvd
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Solon
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of the Resurrection, 32001 Cannon Road
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South Euclid
1/26/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Notre Dame College, 1857 S. Green Rd
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Strongsville
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ehrnfelt Recreation Center, 18100 Royalton Rd
1/20/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Southpark Mall, 500 Southpark Center
1/25/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cuyahoga County Library Strongsville Branch, 18700 Westwood Dr
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University Heights
1/24/2018: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll University Blvd.
1/25/2018: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., John Carroll University, 1 John Carroll University Blvd.
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Valley View
1/16/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Valley View Community Center, 6828 Hathaway Road
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Westlake
1/11/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Westlake Recreation Center, 28955 Hilliard Rd.
1/12/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 28455 Center Ridge Road
1/22/2018: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Rd.
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ERIE COUNTY
Castalia
1/8/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Congregational United Church of Christ, 205 Main St.
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Huron
1/25/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Huron Public Library, 333 Williams St.
1/31/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bowling Green State University Firelands Campus, 1 University Drive
1/31/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., St Peter Catholic Church, 430 Main St.
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Milan
1/26/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Milan Public Library, 19 E. Church St.
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Sandusky
1/8/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Church of The Nazarene, 1617 Milan Rd
1/11/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Holy Angels Catholic Church, 428 Tiffin Ave
1/12/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Firelands Regional Medical Center, 1912 Hayes Ave
1/26/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Firelands Regional Medical Center, 1912 Hayes Ave
1/27/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Sandusky Library, 114 West Adams Street
1/30/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Legion, 3615 Hayes Ave
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Vermilion
1/22/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Ritter Public Library, 5680 Liberty Ave.
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GEAUGA COUNTY
Burton
1/13/2018: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Joes Vinyl Window Shop, 15020 Shedd Road
1/17/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St.
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Chagrin Falls
1/11/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Bainbridge Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Rd
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Chardon
1/12/2018: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., University Hospitals Geauga Med Ctr, 13207 Ravenna Rd.
1/18/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Munson Town Hall, 12210 Auburn Rd.
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Chesterland
1/8/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Geauga West Library, 13455 Chillicothe Rd.
1/16/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Anytime Fitness, 8009 Mayfield Rd.
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Middlefield
1/9/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 14999 South State Street
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HURON COUNTY
Greenwich
1/30/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., The Ripley Church, 4130 Edwards Road
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Norwalk
1/15/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 60 West Main St.
1/19/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Fisher-Titus Medical Center, 272 Benedict Ave.
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Plymouth
1/18/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Plymouth Village Community Building, 48 West Broadway
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Willard
1/31/2018: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Mercy Willard Hospital, 1100 Neal Zick Rd
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LAKE COUNTY
Concord Twp
1/9/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Auburn Career Center, 8140 Auburn Road
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Eastlake
1/14/2018: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., St. Justin Martyr Church, 35781 Stevens Blvd
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Fairport Harbor
1/10/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Harding High School, 329 Vine St.
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Kirtland
1/10/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Kirtland Public Library, 9267 Chillicothe Rd.
1/30/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr.
1/31/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lakeland Community College, 7700 Clocktower Dr.
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Madison
1/15/2018: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cornerstone Friends Church, 2300 Hubbard Rd.
1/17/2018: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Madison Public Library, 6111 Middle Ridge Rd.
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Mentor
1/9/2018: 12 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Mentor Civic Arena, 8600 Munson Rd.
1/12/2018: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Mentor Heisley Soccer Club, 6000 Heisley Rd.
1/15/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Atlas Cinema Diamond Center, 9555 Diamond Center Dr.
1/31/2018: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Pinegate Community Clubhouse, 6301 Gatewood Dr.
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Mentor on the Lake
1/12/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Mentor on the Lake City Hall, 5860 Andrews Rd.
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Painesville
1/8/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., St Mary Church, 242 N State St
1/9/2018: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lake County Fairgrounds, 1301 Mentor Ave
1/15/2018: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Church Congregational, 22 Liberty St.
1/21/2018: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Lake County YMCA Central Branch, 933 Mentor Ave.
1/28/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Painesville United Methodist, 71 North Park Place
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Perry
1/11/2018: 2:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St Cyprian Church, 4223 Middle Ridge Road
1/16/2018: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Perry Public Library, 3753 Main Street
1/20/2018: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Perry United Methodist Church, 3875 Main St.
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Wickliffe
1/29/2018: 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Wickliffe Community Center, 900 Worden Road
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Willoughby
1/23/2018: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Ohio Living Breckenridge Village, 36851 Ridge Rd.
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Willoughby Hills
1/11/2018: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Willoughby Hills Community Center, 35400 Chardon Rd.
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LORAIN COUNTY
Avon
1/9/2018: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Cleveland Clinic Avon Family Health and Surgery Center, 33100 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.
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Avon Lake
1/22/2018: 3 p.m. - 8 p.m., Troy Intermediate School, 237 Belmar Blvd
1/29/2018: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Avon Lake Public Library, 32649 Electric Blvd.