COLUMBUS, OHIO – For the third consecutive year, the Columbus Blue Jackets and OhioHealth are teaming up with the American Red Cross for the "Hockey: It's in Your Blood" blood drive at Nationwide Arena (inside the Front St. doors) on Monday, September 17 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The blood drive falls within the month-long campaign with the American Red Cross to increase blood donation across 27 Ohio counties.

Trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies and children who suffer from sickle cell disease often need blood products to survive. Every two seconds, someone in America needs blood, and in Central Ohio alone, the Red Cross must collect nearly 650 pints of blood each day to support patients in need at 56 hospitals and medical facilities, including the family of OhioHealth hospitals.

Donors at the Nationwide Arena location will receive a pair of tickets to a Blue Jackets preseason game. In addition, everyone who gives blood at any Central Ohio location throughout the month of September will be automatically registered to win one of the following prizes:

•  A Columbus Blue Jackets/OhioHealth Prize Pack that includes a pair of Blue Jackets         preseason game tickets, autographed team memorabilia and a one-hour massage compliments of OhioHealth.

• One Zamboni ride and a pair of game tickets
• One plasma television

To schedule an appointment, call 1-(800)-GIVE-LIFE or visit the Central Ohio Region’s Web site at www.BloodSavesLives.org. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds and be in general good health. Although appointments are strongly recommended, walk-up donors are welcome. More information about OhioHealth can be found at www.ohiohealth.com.

Donors and supporters of the Red Cross also can purchase discount tickets to a special "Hockey: It's in Your Blood" night at Nationwide Arena as the Blue Jackets host Wayne Gretzky’s Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday, October 10. For more information, call the American Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region at (614) 253-2740.

Tickets are on sale now for the Blue Jackets four preseason contests and individual tickets for 2007-08 regular season home games go on sale Saturday, September 15 at 9 a.m. at the Nationwide Arena Ticket Office, The Blueline Team Stores at The Chiller Ice Rinks and The Mall at Tuttle Crossing and all Ticketmaster Ticket Centers. Fans can also purchase tickets by phone at (614) 431-3600 or online at www.BlueJackets.com and www.ticketmaster.com. Season and group tickets are on sale now. For information, call (614) 246-PUCK or (800) NHL-COLS.