Red Cross urgently needs blood donations before summer ends

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – As summer winds down, the American Red Cross urges individuals to give blood and platelets now and help end an emergency summer blood shortage that began last month.

A critical need remains as many regular donors delay giving to take final summer vacations and prepare for school to start. To ensure lifesaving treatments remain available for patients in the coming weeks, donations are needed now, especially type O.

In thanks for helping at this urgent time, all those who come to donate blood or platelets July 30 through Aug. 30, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Those who donated blood earlier this summer may be eligible to give again. Blood can be safely given every 56 days, and Power Red donations can be given every 16 weeks.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Aug. 16-31:

Governor’s Square Mall, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., Clarksville, TN 37040
8/19/2018: noon – 6 p.m.

American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St., Clarksville TN 37043
8/20/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
8/27/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Veteran’s Plaza – William O. Beach Civic Hall, 350 Pageant Lane, Clarksville, TN 37040
8/21/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Grace Church of the Nazarene, 3135 Trenton Road , Clarksville, TN 37040
8/22/2018: 3 – 8 p.m.

How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org 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. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.