Be a hometown hero like Elly
All-Star joins forces with Hoxworth Blood Center to thank donors with special-edition shirt
Reds All-Star Elly De La Cruz is known for electrifying Great American Ball Park. This fall, he’s bringing that same energy to a new mission — helping save lives with Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati.
For the first time in Hoxworth’s history, an exclusive donor gift will run for two full months. From Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, everyone who donates whole blood or platelets at one of Hoxworth’s seven neighborhood centers or select mobile drives will receive a limited-edition Elly De La Cruz shirt (*while supplies last) as a thank-you for saving lives.
De La Cruz inspires crowds with every stolen base, towering homerun and unforgettable slide into home. Just like he changes the game, you can change a life. When you donate with Hoxworth Blood Center, your community blood bank, your lifesaving gift stays right here, helping local patients and families in our own neighborhoods.
Every day, Hoxworth needs more than 450 blood donors to supply lifesaving blood products to more than 30 local hospitals in the Tristate region. Blood cannot be manufactured — it must come from volunteer donors.
“Having an All-Star like Elly stand with Hoxworth and champion our mission is a reminder of what makes this city so extraordinary,” said David Oh, MD, co-director of Hoxworth Blood Center. “We are deeply grateful to Elly for shining a spotlight on the importance of blood donation. His support helps inspire our community to give, and together, we are saving lives close to home.”
Donors can make an impact every 56 days (whole blood), 112 days (double red cell) or 14 days (platelets) — and with De La Cruz’s special-edition shirt, they can proudly show the city they’re part of the #HoxworthHero team.
To schedule a donation near you, visit Hoxworth.org, call (513) 451-0910, or download the mobile app.
About Hoxworth Blood Center
Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, was founded in 1938 and serves more than 30 hospitals in 18 counties in Southwestern Ohio, Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana. Annually, Hoxworth collects more than 100,000 units of blood from local donors to help save the lives of patients in area hospitals. Hoxworth Blood Center: Saving Lives Close to Home.
Elly De La Cruz proudly serves as a St. Elizabeth Health Champion. Learn more about the high-quality care at St. Elizabeth and their unique partnership.
Related Stories
Get to know CCM’s newest faculty and staff members
July 29, 2026
UC’s College-Conservatory of Music will welcome a variety of new faculty and staff members to its roster of distinguished performing and media arts experts, researchers and educators this fall.
UC co-op helps build career pathways at AtriCure
July 28, 2026
AtriCure, a global medical device company in Mason, Ohio, is UC’s largest biomedical engineering co-op employer, turning University of Cincinnati co-op students into full-time innovators.
CCM welcomes new musical theatre faculty member Avery Bargassé
July 28, 2026
UC College-Conservatory of Music Dean Pete Jutras has announced the appointment of Avery Bargassé as CCM's new Assistant Professor Educator of Musical Theatre Voice. His faculty appointment officially begins on Aug. 15, 2026. Bargassé is a versatile vocalist, recording artist and voice teacher whose career spans television, popular music and classical singing. He approaches teaching from a whole-person perspective, helping students develop healthy, flexible technique that supports expressive communication across styles.