A Personal Mission: Giving Blood for the First Time in Memory of My Husband

Hope's Story

I have encouraged people to give blood for years, but recently I donated for the first time myself. I was walking into the Nashville American Red Cross blood donation center with a personal reason for donation, yet no one there knew my “why.”

As I was checking in, I told the registration volunteer that this was my first time donating, and although I have had many reasons to give in the past, I did not feel ready until now. They expressed their gratitude, still not knowing the profound impact other blood donors have had in my life.

My husband Lucas passed away on Nov. 11, 2021. In June 2020, he was diagnosed with leukemia, and during his treatment, he received more than 100 bags of blood and platelets - sometimes more than one bag at a time.

There are people like Lucas who need blood every single day to live. So, when the Red Cross staff member who took care of me remarked that I had a “little vein that could,” I smiled. Even that comment meant a lot to me, knowing that my vein could help others. I told this same man that giving blood was important for me and asked him to take a photo. There are people like Lucas who are in hospitals that my blood will help… they need it to live.

Once my blood bag was full, the friendly staff member removed the needle and then wrapped a bandage around my arm. Once my donation process was complete, I headed to the canteen area to grab an orange juice and snack. Then I quickly made my way out of the building into the parking lot. Even though I was emotionally ready to donate, when I returned to my car, the tears flowed.

I donated for Lucas, for people like Lucas who desperately need blood transfusions to live, for those who cannot donate themselves, and for myself. I kindly ask that you consider doing the same.

-Hope Spickard

Special thanks to Ryan Meyer, Red Cross volunteer.

The Nashville Predators and American Red Cross Team Up to Encourage Blood Donation Aug. 14-18

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 13, 2023 — As children return to school, and summer winds down, the American Red Cross along with the Nashville Predators Foundation is asking fans to help stay off a blood shortage for area hospitals by donating blood. Preds blood drives are taking place in cities across Tennessee and Kentucky. 

“We continue to see numbers of donors lower than we like to see for this time of year,” Garry Allison, regional donor services executive with the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region said. “It is so important that if our donors can roll up their sleeves to donate at a Preds Drive, they do so. Your donation can save multiple lives and makes a difference for families throughout the region.” 

The partnership with the Preds is vital for the American Red Cross. The Red Cross supplies 40 percent of all blood products to hospitals across the nation. All blood types are needed, but there is a demand for type O negative and type O positive blood. O negative type blood is the universal donor that can be given to any patient of any blood type during emergencies. Those type O blood bags are used most by hospital emergency rooms to treat trauma patients and during surgeries. Blood donated to community blood drives for the American Red Cross account for 80 percent of all blood collected in the United States. 

All presenting donors will receive a Predators foam hockey puck, while supplies last. Donors will also be entered into a drawing for a signed hockey puck from a current player. All who come to give throughout the month of August will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie. 

Nashville Predators Foundation blood donation opportunities: Aug. 14-Aug. 18

Aug. 14, 2023 

VUMC - 100 Oaks 

1st Floor Conference Rooms A, B, C 

719 E. Thompson Lane 

Nashville, TN 37204

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Lebanon Community 

Wilson County Veterans Building

945 E. Baddour Parkway 

Lebanon, TN 37087

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Celebration Lutheran Church 

Fellowship Hall 

3425 N. Mt Juliet Road

Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Clarksville American Red Cross 

Donor Room 

1760 Madison Street

Clarksville, TN 37043

10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Dickson Community 

Tennesco Community Center - Main Room  

115 Tennesco Drive

Dickson, TN 37055

10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. 

Gallatin Community 

Gallatin Civic Center - Room 101/102

210 Albert Gallatin Drive

Gallatin, TN 37066

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Lebanon Community

Faith Lutheran Church - Fellowship Hall 

1655 W. Main Street 

Lebanon, TN 37087

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Aug. 15, 2023 

Sumner Regional Medical Center

Room 213

225 Big Station Camp Blvd. 

Gallatin, TN 37066

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. 

The Element Nashville 

Meeting Room 

2825 Elm Hill Pike 

Nashville, TN 37214

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Ford Ice Center Bellevue 

7638B Hwy 70S

Nashville, TN 37221

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Celebration Lutheran Church 

Fellowship Hall 

3425 N. Mt Juliet Road

Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

American Red Cross - Memphis Chapter

Board Room 

1399 Madison Avenue

Memphis, TN 38104

10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m.

Goodlettsville Church  

Activity Building 

226 S. Main Street

Goodlettsville, TN 37072

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Kempville Chapel Old Time Methodist Church 

Gym 

196 Kempville Highway

Carthage, TN 37030

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Aug. 16, 2023

World Outreach Church 

Leadership Park Gym 

1921 New Salem Highway 

Murfreesboro, TN 37129

1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Bowling Green American Red Cross 

Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center - Meeting Rooms 

1021 Wilkinson Trace  

Bowling Green, KY 42103

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Clarksville American Red Cross 

Donor Room 

1760 Madison Street

Clarksville, TN 37043

10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cookeville Community 

Putnam County Library 

50 E. Broad Street

Cookeville, TN 38501

11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Aug. 17, 2023

Manchester Community 

First Baptist Church 

1006 Hillsboro Road 

Manchester, TN 37355

2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Ford Ice Center Antioch

Room #1 & 2

5264 Hickory Hollow Parkway

Antioch, TN 37013

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cool Springs Galleria 

JCPenney Wing-Lower Level

1800 Galleria Blvd.

Franklin, TN 37067

12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Spring Hill Community 

UAW Banquet Hall 

125 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway 

Spring Hill, TN 37174

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Aug. 18, 2023

Bowling Green American Red Cross 

Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center - Meeting Rooms 

1021 Wilkinson Trace  

Bowling Green, KY 42103

10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Smyrna Senior Center 

Community Room 

100 Raikes Street

Smyrna, TN 37167

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. To register for a Predators blood drive be sure to enter the code PREDS19. 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 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.

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 or use the Blood Donor App.  

Amplify your impact − volunteer!

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer blood donor ambassador at Red Cross blood drives. Blood donor ambassadors help greet, check-in and thank blood donors to ensure they have a positive donation experience.

Volunteers can also serve as transportation specialists, playing a vital role in ensuring lifesaving blood products are delivered to nearby hospitals. For more information and to apply for either position, visit redcross.org/volunteertoday. 

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Giving Hope by Giving Volunteer Time with American Red Cross

Left to right: Sharon Hudson, East Tennessee Red Cross executive director; Burak Er, East Tennessee Red Cross board member; Kristin Rice, East Tennessee Red Cross disaster program manager

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 11, 2023 - For many families, disaster hits at night, when they are sound asleep, but awaken by the sound of a smoke alarm or a tree falling. When a terrifying event like that happens late at night or early in the morning, it’s a time where not many places are open, and not many people are awake to give a helping hand in this vulnerable time of need. However, Burak Er is ready to help families in need at any hour of the night as he volunteers for the overnight shift for the American Red Cross of East Tennessee. 

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to help someone out when they need it the most. When they see you, it gives them hope,” Burak stated as he explained why volunteering for the Red Cross is so important to him. 

Burak began volunteering for the Red Cross five years ago as a member of the Disaster Action Team. Since that day, he has responded to over 50 calls. Two years ago, he joined the East Tennessee Chapter Board of Directors where he serves as the chair for events by promoting and engaging the community, which brings awareness to the Red Cross services. He has supported the organization through many events such as Sound the Alarm – a smoke alarm and home fire safety campaign, airport drills, emergency planning for city disasters, as well as responding to local emergencies in Knoxville and surrounding counties. In talking about his role as a Board Member, Burak expresses the impact that these events create by saying, “It’s about being out there, showing our presence, and sharing grace.” 

In addition to helping families through the evening and early morning hours, Burak is a full-time entrepreneur with Package Manager, which is also a proud partner of American Red Cross events. 

Burak is passionate about his volunteer work saying, “Wherever you are in the world, the Red Cross is there.” 

To learn more about how you can get involved with the Red Cross, through donations or volunteering, please visit redcross.org/tennessee or call 1-800-RED CROSS. 

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/Tennessee or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossTN.

Knoxville Red Cross Shelter Open - Aug. 8, 2023

Last updated: Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern

The American Red Cross of East Tennessee has opened a shelter for people displaced from their homes due to the recent storms. 

Location: Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church
7753 Oak Ridge Hwy., Knoxville, TN 37931

If your home was damaged during the recent storms and you need assistance, please call us at 1-800-RED CROSS.