The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.
As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Amazon. (Restrictions apply. Additional information and details are available here.
Make your appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by visiting RedCrossBlood.org , calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.
Important COVID-19 information for donors
The Red Cross is testing blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The test may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether an individual developed COVID-19 symptoms. Red Cross antibody tests will be helpful to identify individuals who have COVID-19 antibodies and may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma transfusions. Convalescent plasma is a type of blood donation collected from COVID-19 survivors that have antibodies that may help patients who are actively fighting the virus. Plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be used to help COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within one to two weeks in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity. The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.
Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – 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 and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities Feb. 1-15
Bedford County, TN
Bell Buckle
2/18/2021: 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., James E. Elkins Fire Hall, 113 Main Street
Shelbyville
2/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Shelbyville, 304 East Depot Street
2/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Tennessee College of Applied Technology Shelbyville, 1405 Madison
Coffee County, TN
Manchester
2/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Manchester City Schools, 912 Oakdale Street
2/4/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manchester City Schools, 912 Oakdale Street
2/18/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 1006 Hillsboro Rd.
Tullahoma
2/9/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 200 NE Atlantic St
Franklin County, TN
Belvidere
2/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Belvidere Mennonite Church, 9805 David Crockett Parkway, West
Winchester
2/26/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Winchester Church of Christ, 1230 South College Street
Grundy County, TN
Tracy City
2/11/2021: 1 p.m. – 7 p.m., Myers Hill Congregational Methodist Church, 717 Myers Hill Road
Warren County, TN
McMinnville
2/4/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Tennessee College of Applied Technology, 241 Vo Tech Dr.
2/10/2021: 1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., McMinnville Community, 201 Locust Street
2/23/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Warren Co Community Caney Fork Electric, 920 Smithville Hwy
