NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 14, 2023 — Holidays are always a busy season for everyone, but the need for blood doesn’t take a holiday. The need for blood is a daily constant that only blood donors can help provide. The American Red Cross along with the Nashville Predators Foundation is asking fans to help this season by donating blood for patients in need. Preds blood drives are taking place in cities across Tennessee and Kentucky. “We have seen recently how fast a disaster can happen and the need for blood then increases,” Joel Sullivan, regional executive with the American Red Cross Tennessee Region said. “It is our responsibility as a community to step up and keep a solid blood supply on the shelves so we can answer the call when the need is great. We cannot do that without the generous support of our blood donors.”
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 winter fan beanie, while supplies last. Donors can also receive a long-sleeved winter holiday Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last! Plus, thanks to Prime Video and their new film CANDY CANE LANE, donors get a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a 65-inch Amazon Fire TV! There will be 12 winners! Terms: rcblood.org/Amazon.
Nashville Predators Foundation blood donation opportunities: Dec. 26 – Dec. 29
Clarksville American Red Cross
Chevrolet Buick GMC of Murfreesboro
Sumner Regional Medical Center
225 Big Station Camp Blvd.
American Red Cross Chapter Memphis
Celebration Lutheran Church
Sumner Regional Medical Center
225 Big Station Camp Blvd.
Bowling Green American Red Cross
Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center - Meeting Rooms
Clarksville American Red Cross
JCPenney Lower-Level Wing
First Presbyterian Church - Fellowship Hall
5264 Hickory Hollow Parkway
Bridgestone Arena - Nashville Predators
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Light Hall - 4th Floor Rooms 419 A - D
Mount Juliet Community Center - Gym
1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Gym
Bowling Green American Red Cross
Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center - Meeting Rooms
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
100 Oaks - 1st Floor Conference Rooms A-C
Tennsco Community Center - Main Room
Gallatin Civic Center -Rooms 101/102
210 Albert Gallatin Avenue
Ridgetop First Baptist Church
Sumner Regional Medical Center
First United Methodist Church Smyrna
Natchez Trace American Red Cross
129 W. Fowlkes Street Suite 100
First Cumberland Presbyterian Church - Gym
Bowling Green American Red Cross
Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center - Meeting Rooms
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
100 Oaks - 1st Floor Conference Rooms A-C
Tennsco Community Center - Main Room
Gallatin Civic Center -Rooms 101/102
210 Albert Gallatin Avenue
Ridgetop First Baptist Church
Sumner Regional Medical Center
First United Methodist Church Smyrna
Natchez Trace American Red Cross
129 W. Fowlkes Street Suite 100
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.
