Donations needed now to help those battling cancer and other serious conditions

The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood and platelet shortage that has caused the blood supply to drop to the lowest post-summer level in at least six years.

With less than a day's supply of certain blood types in recent weeks, the Red Cross asks donors of all blood types - especially type O − to make an appointment to give blood or platelets as soon as possible to ensure patients can receive the lifesaving transfusions they rely on. Appointments can be made by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Fall is typically a time when the blood supply rebounds from summer blood shortages, but a surge in COVID-19 cases across the U.S. due to the delta variant has contributed to the lowest donor turnout of the year. To shore up inventory, the Red Cross must collect 10,000 additional blood products each week this month to meet hospital and patient needs.

Donors are asked to make an appointment

All those who come to donate in October will receive a link by email to claim a free Zaxby's^® Signature Sandwich reward or get a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.* Plus, all those who come to give Oct. 11-31 will receive a bonus $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.**

Blood donations help those with breast cancer

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, the Red Cross is reminding donors of the importance of blood to those undergoing treatment. According to the National Cancer Institute, roughly 1.9 million people are expected to be diagnosed with cancer in the U.S. this year, and more than 281,000 of those individuals will have breast cancer.

Patients with breast cancer and other cancers may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications. In fact, nearly 25% of the blood supply is used by cancer patients.

People across the country depend on the kindness of blood donors. Donors are urged to make an appointment to give blood or platetlets as soon as possible by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-73-2767).

Blood drive safety

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions - including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status - have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Oct.16-31

KENTUCKY

Christian

Fort Campbell

10/22/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Byrd Health Clinic, 7973 Strike Blvd.

10/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Blanchfield Army Hospital, 650 Joel Drive

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Marshall

Benton

10/18/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., First Christian Church, 2515 South Main Street

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Warren

Bowling Green

10/20/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/22/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

10/25/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/26/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/26/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Western Ky Univ Preston Health and Activity Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd

10/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace

TENNESSEE

Bedford

Shelbyville

10/27/2021: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Shelbyville Community, First Presbyterian Church, 600 N. Brittain Street

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Cheatham

Kingston Springs

10/26/2021: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Harpeth High School, 170 E. Kingston Springs Road

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Davidson

Hermitage

10/29/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Metro Police-Hermitage, 3701 James Kay Lane

Nashville

10/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/18/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/19/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/19/2021: 4 p.m. - 9 p.m., Casa de Dios Church, 3030 Dickerson Pike

10/19/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/20/2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/21/2021: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Vanderbilt University Kissam Building, 2101 West End Avenue

10/21/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/22/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/25/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Saint Thomas West Hospital, 4220 Harding Road

10/25/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Student Life Center, 310 25th. Avenue South

10/27/2021: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/27/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/28/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/29/2021: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue

10/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

10/31/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave

Old Hickory

10/22/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., First Baptist Church Old Hickory, 1106 Hadley Avenue

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Dickson

Dickson

10/21/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., YMCA Dickson, 301 Henslee Drive

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Franklin

Winchester

10/29/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Winchester Church of Christ, 1230 South College Street

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Giles

Ardmore

10/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m., Ardmore Public Library, 25836 Main St

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Lawrence

Leoma

10/18/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Leoma Church of Christ, 2600 Highway 43 South

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Marshall

Chapel Hill

10/20/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Chapel Hill UMC, 316 North Horton Parkway

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Maury

Columbia

10/17/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., First Family First Baptist Church, 2790 Pulaski Highway

10/28/2021: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 19, 812 Nashville Highway, Hwy 31 North

Spring Hill

10/25/2021: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., UAW- Local 1853, 125 Stephen P Yokich Pkwy

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Montgomery

Clarksville

10/18/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/20/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

10/25/2021: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street

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Robertson

Springfield

10/18/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Our Lady of Lourdes St. Luke Hall, 103 Golf Club Lane

White House

10/19/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Revolution Church, 3644 Highway 31W

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Rutherford

La Vergne

10/27/2021: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., First Baptist Church Lavergne, 375 Old Nashville Highway

Murfreesboro

10/16/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/18/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/19/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/22/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/23/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/24/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/25/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/28/2021: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/29/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/30/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

10/31/2021: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.

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Sumner

Gallatin

10/19/2021: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m., Gallatin Public Library, 123 E. Main Street

Hendersonville

10/26/2021: 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Trinity Baptist Church, 840 Forest Retreat Rd.

10/31/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 1729 Stop 30 Road

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Williamson

Brentwood

10/19/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/20/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/21/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/24/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Congregation Micah, 2001 Old Hickory Boulevard

10/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.

10/26/2021: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road

College Grove

10/28/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., McDaniel Community, 7588 Delancey Dr

Franklin

10/17/2021: 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Grace Chapel, 3279 Southall Rd.

10/18/2021: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100

10/18/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lifetime Fitness, 5020 Carothers Parkway

10/20/2021: 7:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m., Centennial High School, 5050 Mallory Lane

10/21/2021: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100

10/26/2021: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Fieldstone Farms Blood Drive, 1530 Lexington Parkway

10/27/2021: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Burn Boot Camp Franklin, 1113 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 201A

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Wilson

Lebanon

10/20/2021: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m., Anytime Fitness Lebanon, 200 Maddox-Simpson pkwy

10/20/2021: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m., Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 522 Castle Heights Avenue

Save time during donation

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Health insights for donors

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.