Hoxworth Blood Center, Blood Cancer United partner for blood drive at 2025 Light the Night event

University of Cincinnati, Hoxworth Blood Center, in partnership with Blood Cancer United (formerly Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), is proud to announce the 2025 Light the Night community event at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at Yeatman's Cove. Hoxworth's blood drive begins at 3:15 p.m. This moving and inspiring evening brings together thousands of local supporters, survivors and families to celebrate, honor and remember those touched by blood cancers.

Donate blood at Light the Night

For the first time in the event's history, Hoxworth will host a mobile blood drive in conjunction with Light the Night. As the sole blood provider to all Greater Cincinnati area hospitals, Hoxworth plays a vital role in supporting cancer patients who depend on blood and platelets during treatment and stem cell transplants.

Now, attendees can make an even greater impact by donating blood on-site at Yeatman's Cove and seeing firsthand how their donations help save local lives.

"Many blood cancer patients undergoing treatment at our local hospitals rely on life-saving products from Hoxworth donors," said Krystol Weidner, Hoxworth apheresis manager. "Light the Night is a beautiful reminder of how donors and recipients are connected. It's powerful to see that come full circle."

The blood drive will take place from 3:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m. Donors can schedule their appointments at hoxworth.org/groups/lightthenight. Don't wait - appointments will fill quickly! Join the community in giving the gift of life and lighting the way toward a world without blood cancer.

About Light the Night

Each fall, thousands of participants in Light the Night carry illuminated lanterns - white for survivors, red for supporters and gold in memory of loved ones lost to cancer - to take steps toward ending blood cancer. Since its inception in 1993, Light the Night has become Blood Cancer United's signature annual event, raising funds for life-saving research and crucial patient resources.

"Volunteers supporting Light the Night are helping Blood Cancer United's work toward achieving our bold goal: By 2040, Blood Cancer United will enable blood cancer patients across the country to gain more than one million years of life," said Dawn Berryman, executive director of Blood Cancer United's Ohio River Valley chapter. "Light the Night events are celebrations of light, support and what we can achieve for blood cancer patients together."

More October community blood drive events

To keep the giving spirit strong all month long, Hoxworth is also hosting themed blood drives across the region:

Oct. 17: Cincinnati Fear Fest (Williamsburg) Donate blood and get scared faster! The first 20 donors will receive FREE unlimited fast admission to Fear Fest, and all other donors will receive a FREE fast pass upgrade. Schedule: https://donateblood.uc.edu/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/52567

Oct. 24-26: Cincinnati Comic Expo (Sharonville) Level up your donor status at the Sharonville Convention Center! All donors will receive an Elly De La Cruz shirt, plus your choice of comic books, pins or figurines (while supplies last). No ticket needed to donate - just stop by outside the main entrance! Schedule: https://hoxworth.org/groups/comicexpo.html

About Hoxworth Blood Center

Related Stories