FINDLAY, Ohio — The American Red Cross held a blood drive Tuesday at the University of Findlay.
The nonprofit usually experiences a blood shortage around the winter holiday season as fewer people tend to donate. The Red Cross says it provides about 40% of the nation's blood supply.
People who showed up Tuesday to donate had a variety of reasons that brought them out.
"I don't really have a personal story, I just like to give back," Carol Wells, a regular donor, said. "It's an easy thing to do and I like helping others."
Charles Ludwig, the director of equity and Title IX at UF, said the importance of blood donation was instilled in him in the military and it has stayed with him ever since.
Because of the urgent need for blood, anyone who donates in the month of January will be entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.
But on Tuesday, donors in Findlay weren't that interested in the football tickets. They were more focused on giving back to their community.
"It's really important to have that connectedness to the community," Robert Postic, a professor of political science at UF, said. "I find (blood donation) is really one of the most low-cost ways to not only connect to the community, but also give back to my community."
Ludwig encourages others to make blood donation more regular.
"Give every couple of months," he said. "Whenever you get that phone call from the Red Cross, you'll be helping people out."
To find a blood drive near you, visit RedCrossBlood.org, type in your zip code and nearby options will be displayed.