Red Cross urges blood donations ahead of holidays, offers Wheel of Fortune giveaway

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) – The American Red Cross is encouraging residents across Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois to donate blood or platelets ahead of the holiday season, when busy schedules can make it more difficult to maintain a steady blood supply.

In a news release Wednesday, Nov. 11, the Red Cross urged donors of all blood types, particularly those with type O blood, to schedule appointments throughout November and early December.

According to the organization, the final two months of the year can be challenging for blood collection efforts as donors balance holiday travel, family gatherings and other seasonal activities.

To encourage donations, the Red Cross is partnering with the television game show “Wheel of Fortune” to offer special incentives during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

Anyone who comes to donate blood or platelets between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6 will receive an exclusive oversized Red Cross and “Wheel of Fortune” mug, while supplies last.

Donors who participate during that period will also automatically be entered for a chance to win a three-night trip for two to Los Angeles, including admission to a “Wheel of Fortune” taping.

Additional information about the promotion is available at RedCrossBlood.org/WheelofFortune.

The Red Cross is also offering free A1C testing for successful blood donations during November in recognition of National Diabetes Awareness Month.

The test measures average blood sugar levels over approximately three months. Donors are eligible for one A1C result per calendar year and should not fast before donating.

The organization emphasized that blood and platelet donations remain essential for patients who rely on transfusions during medical emergencies, surgeries and ongoing treatments.

Upcoming blood drives in Southeast Missouri

Several donation opportunities are scheduled throughout the region from Nov. 16 through Dec. 6.

Cape Girardeau County

– Nov. 16: Elks Lodge, 639 Elks Lane, Cape Girardeau, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
– Nov. 17: Saxony Lutheran High School, 2004 Saxony Drive, Jackson, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
– Nov. 18: Notre Dame High School, 265 Notre Dame Drive, Cape Girardeau, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Nov. 20: Southeast Missouri Pets, 180 Weston St., Cape Girardeau, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Nov. 22: St. Mary’s Cathedral, 615 William St., Cape Girardeau, from 7:30 a.m. to noon.
– Nov. 24: Crossroads Church, 4400 E. Jackson Blvd., Jackson, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
– Nov. 27: West Park Mall, north mall entrance, Cape Girardeau, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Cape Girardeau Blood Donation Center, located at 20 S. Mount Auburn Road, will also host multiple donation opportunities throughout the month.

Butler County

– Nov. 16: Poplar Bluff Eagles Lodge, 1400 S. Broadway, from 1 to 5 p.m.
– Nov. 23: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2414 Katy Lane, Poplar Bluff, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
– Dec. 1: Rheem Manufacturing, 1747 Cravens Road, Poplar Bluff, from noon to 4 p.m.

Other Southeast Missouri locations

– Nov. 19: Woodland High School, Marble Hill, from 1:30 to 6 p.m.
– Nov. 24: The Baptist Home, Ironton, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Nov. 24: Caring Hands Home Care, Matthews, from 1 to 6 p.m.
– Nov. 30: St. Henry’s Knights of Columbus, Charleston, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.
– Dec. 1: Chaffee High School, Chaffee, from 1 to 6 p.m.
– Dec. 3: Knights of Columbus, Fredericktown, from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Upcoming blood drives in Southern Illinois

Donation opportunities are also scheduled across Southern Illinois.

Jackson County

– Nov. 17: Trico High School, Campbell Hill, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
– Nov. 18: American Legion Post 127, Murphysboro, from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
– Nov. 20: Samron Midwest Contracting Training Center, Murphysboro, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– Nov. 24: Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– Nov. 30: First United Methodist Church, Carbondale, from 1:30 to 5:45 p.m.
– Dec. 4: Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Morris Library, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Dec. 4: United Methodist Church, Murphysboro, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Union and Alexander counties

– Nov. 30: Union County Hospital, Anna, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– Dec. 3: Anna Community School District, Anna, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Dec. 4: Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, Anna, from noon to 4 p.m.
– Dec. 4: Egyptian Community Unit District No. 5, Tamms, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

How to donate

The Red Cross encourages donors to schedule appointments in advance.

Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-733-2767.

Donors must generally be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent were permitted by state law, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional eligibility requirements may apply.

A blood donor card, driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Donors can also use the Red Cross RapidPass system to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online before arriving at a blood drive.

The organization says donations from all blood types are needed to help maintain a reliable blood supply for patients throughout the holiday season.