American Red Cross urges blood donations ahead of holiday season, offers donor incentives

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

KENTUCKY (KBSI)— The American Red Cross is urging residents to donate blood and platelets as the holiday season approaches, emphasizing the need to maintain a stable blood supply for hospitals and patients.

Donors of all blood types are needed, particularly those with type O blood.

According to the Red Cross, keeping donation appointments scheduled throughout the fall is essential to ensuring hospitals have enough blood products to meet patient needs during the busy holiday season.

Red Cross offers gift cards to blood donors

To encourage donations, the Red Cross is offering incentives to those who give blood or platelets from Oct. 19 through Nov. 22.

Eligible donors who come to give during that period will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email, along with 500 bonus points through the Blood Donor Rewards program. The points can be redeemed for an additional $10 electronic gift card, bringing the total potential value to $20.

Additional details are available at [RedCrossBlood.org/Maze](https://www.redcrossblood.org/maze).

Free diabetes screening offered in November

In recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month, the Red Cross will also provide free A1C testing for successful blood donations made in November.

The A1C test is commonly used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes by measuring average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months.

Donors are eligible for one A1C test result per calendar year and should not fast before donating blood.

Upcoming blood drives in western Kentucky

The Red Cross has announced several blood donation opportunities scheduled for Nov. 1-15.

Benton

– Nov. 9: Woodmen Life, 1005 Poplar St., 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
– Nov. 12: Marshall County Technical Center, 341 High School Road, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Calvert City

– Nov. 9: Calvert City Civic Center, 991 E. Fifth Ave., noon to 5:30 p.m.

Fulton

– Nov. 10: First Baptist Church, 115 Second St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Marion

– Nov. 2: St. William Catholic Church, 860 S. Main St., 1 to 6 p.m.

Paducah

– Nov. 6: Public Safety Building, 501 Adams St., 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
– Nov. 10: St. Mary High School, 1243 Elmdale Road, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Paducah Blood Donation Center, located at 4635 Falconcrest Drive, will also accept donations on the following dates:

• Nov. 1 | 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Nov. 2-3 | 12:30 to 7:15 p.m.
• Nov. 4 | 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Nov. 5-6 | 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Nov. 8 | 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Nov. 9-10 | 12:30 to 7:15 p.m.
• Nov. 11 | 11 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
• Nov. 12-13 | 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Nov. 15 | 8 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

– Nov. 11: Livingston Hospital Foundation Community Building, 131 Hospital Drive, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Red Cross, most blood donors must meet the following eligibility requirements:

– Be at least 17 years old in most states, or 16 with parental consent where permitted by state law.
– Weigh at least 110 pounds.
– Be in generally good health.
– Present a blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification at check-in.

Additional height and weight requirements apply to high school students and donors 18 and younger.

Donors can also save time by completing their predonation health history questionnaire through RapidPass on the day of their appointment.

Residents can schedule a blood or platelet donation by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the American Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-733-2767.

The Red Cross is also seeking volunteers to assist at blood drives and transport blood products to hospitals.

Those interested in volunteering can learn more at redcross.org/volunteertoday.