American Red Cross

Nashville, TN – Eligible blood donors of all blood types – especially type O – are urged to give blood through the American Red Cross now to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients this spring.

By giving blood, donors may be helping someone like 5-year-old Emery Twehues, who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia last spring.

During her intense cancer treatments, Emery has needed both blood and platelets.

Cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and certain types of chemotherapy drugs and radiation can damage the bone marrow, where red blood cells and platelets are produced.

“Emery would not be able to recover from chemotherapy without lifesaving transfusions,” said her mom, Morgan Twehues. “Every time they hang a bag of platelets or blood up on her IV pole, I wish whoever donated that could see who it’s going to. There would be no chance for her to live, taking that chemotherapy, if it weren’t for the blood products.”

In order to meet the needs of patients like Emery, the Red Cross must collect about 13,000 blood and more than 2,500 platelet donations every day.

Make an appointment to help save lives now by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App ^[1], visiting RedCrossBlood.org ^[2] or calling 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities March 18th-April 15th

Morgantown Mission
109 South Main Street
Morgantown, KY 42261

4/1/2019: 12:30pm-5:30pm.

New Friendship Baptist Church
5030 Friendship Road
Auburn, KY 42206

3/22/2019: noon-6:00pm.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
296 West 6th Street
Russellville, KY 42276

4/1/2019: noon-6:00pm.

Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center
1021 Wilkinson Trace
Bowling Green, KY 42103

3/22/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

3/29/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

4/5/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

4/12/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

Western Kentucky University
Preston Health and Activity Center
1906 College Heights Boulevard
Bowling Green, KY 42101

3/25/2019: 10:00am-6:00pm.

McMinnville Community
201 Locust Street
McMinnville, TN 37110

4/10/2019: 1:30pm-5:30pm

Byrd Health Clinic
7973 Strike Boulevard
Fort Campbell, KY 42223

3/22/2019: 10:00am-3:00pm.

Fort Campbell Commissary
2606 Indiana Avenue
Fort Campbell, KY 42223

3/29/2019: 10:00am-3:00pm.

Fort Campbell PX
2840 Bastogne Avenue
Fort Campbell, KY 42223

4/9/2019: 10:00am-3:00pm.

Todd Central High School
806 South Main Street
Elkton, KY   42220

3/21/2019: 8:30am-1:30pm.

Elkton Baptist Church
301 East Main Street
Elkton, KY 42220

4/12/2019: noon-6:00pm.

Bank of Dickson
466 Hwy 46 South
Dickson, TN 37055

3/18/2019: 10:00am-2:00pm.

YMCA Dickson
225 Henslee Drive
Dickson, TN  37055

3/29/2019: 3:00pm-7:00pm.

4/11/2019: 10:30am-3:30pm.

American Red Cross
1760 Madison Street
Clarksville, TN 37043

3/18/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

3/25/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

4/1/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

4/7/2019: 12:00pm-6:00pm.

4/8/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

4/15/2019: 10:30am-4:30pm.

Austin Peay State University
Morgan University Center
601 College Street
Clarksville, TN   37044

3/27/2019: 10:00am-4:00pm.

Governor’s Square Mall
2801 Wilma Rudolph Boulevard
Clarksville, TN 37040

4/1/2019: noon-6:00pm.

Veteran’s Plaza
William O. Beach Civic Hall
350 Pageant Lane
Clarksville, TN  37040

4/2/2019: 9:00am-2:00pm.

Northwest High School
800 Lafayette Road
Clarksville, TN 37040

4/5/2019: 8:30am-1:30pm.

How to Donate Blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App ^[1], visit RedCrossBlood.org ^[2] or call 1.800.RED CROSS (1.800.733.2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients.

A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification 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 ^[6]. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass ^[7] or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

For more information, please visit redcross.org ^[8] or cruzrojaamericana.org ^[9], or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross ^[10].