CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) –

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood and platelet donors to give now to ensure blood is available for medical treatments and emergencies during the holiday season.

Blood and platelet donations often decline during the holidays. Regular donors are busy with holiday activities, and travel and severe winter weather may cause blood drive cancellations. Yet donations remain critical for patients like 4-year-old Wyatt Monacelli who is in the midst of intense chemotherapy treatments for leukemia. He has received a number of transfusions since his diagnosis in June and will likely need more.

“We are fortunate to have had so many donors give the gift of life to our child so far throughout the course of his treatment, and even more so, we are lucky to have had a supply of blood available for him when he needed it,” said Julianna Monacelli, Wyatt’s mother.

Donors are urged to give now to ensure that families like Wyatt’s don’t have to worry about the availability of blood this winter. In thanks for helping meet the urgent need around the holidays, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through Dec. 19, 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 or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong is to host a Red Cross blood drive this winter. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 26-Dec. 19

Fort Campbell PX, 2840 Bastogne Ave. Fort Campbell, KY 42223
12/14/2018: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Petrie Memorial United Methodist Church, 202 E. Main St. Elkton, KY 42220
12/14/2018: noon – 6 p.m.

St Stephen Catholic Church, 1698 Canton Road, Cadiz, KY 42211
12/4/2018: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Burns Church of Christ, 2718 Church St. Burns, TN 37029
12/19/2018: 3 – 7 p.m.

Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church Community Center, 3008 Bowker Road, Charlotte, TN 37036
12/8/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Walnut Street Church of Christ, 201 Center Ave. Dickson, TN 37055
12/6/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

First Baptist Church Dickson, 2501 Highway 70 E. Dickson, TN 37055
12/17/2018: 2 – 7 p.m.

YMCA Dickson, 301 Henslee Drive, Dickson, TN 37055
12/18/2018: 3 – 7 p.m.

White Bluff Church of Christ, 4416 Highway 70, White Bluff, TN 37187
12/19/2018: 2 – 7 p.m.

American Red Cross, 1760 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37043

11/26/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

12/3/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

12/10/2018: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

12/17/2018: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m.

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

11/29/2018: 9 a.m. – 2 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.