Red Cross asking for blood donations with a chance to receive a gift card after donating

CAPE GIRAREAU Mo. (KBSI) – The American Red Cross in Southeast Missouri is doing everything they can to bring in donors.

There is a desperate need for blood as large parts of the country are recovering from hurricanes and other natural disasters.

‘Please give blood’ three words that equal one meaning, to save others lives. This means something important to frequent donors like Carolyn Davis. 

“I give blood randomly, I mean I’ve donated over my adult life over a gallon,” said Davis. 

Davis has been giving blood for four decades. She started giving when she was old enough to help her sister who was going to have heart surgery. 

Red Cross workers say she is unfortunately an exception, and they need more people like her. 

“I’m just glad I can do it, you know I know that not everyone can and because I can I want to be able to help out,” said Davis. 

In fact, the Red Cross says in the United States only 3% of eligible people donate blood a year. 

The average is dropping as big storms and natural disasters such as the hurricanes in Florida are causing more blood drives to be called off. 

Red Cross Managers like David Palmer are trying to get the word out to encourage people to give. 

“We’re always trying to schedule additional drives, especially with the Thanksgiving holiday just around the corner, you know the holiday. Is always a tough time for us between Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s,” said Palmer. 

Palmer says he is always encouraging people to come and donate blood if you are eligible and help volunteer. 

People are busy with different things so it’s very important to keep the blood supply now to a safe level heading into the holidays,” said Palmer. 

Other workers like Tammy Kunkel, the Co-Chairman for the Auxiliary Outreach Program says she knows giving blood can be scary so she tries to find ways to make it easier and even fun. 

“The reason we decided to do this was we knew we love doing community service projects but we knew there was a dire need for blood donations, and we thought let’s make it fun, so we decided to dress up,” said Kunkel. 

Kunkel wants to do what she can to try and increase the statistics. 

“When we contacted the Red Cross, they said only 3% of Americans donate across the country and we know that’s really shy on where it should be, so we decided to do our part and make it fun,” said Kunkel.

As for veteran donors like Davis, she encourages others to reach out. She is asking people to realize when big events impact the country it can still hit home. 

“One of the main reasons is because of all the natural disasters we’ve had over the past six weeks,” said Davis.

The American Red Cross are offering E Gift Cards for those who come and give by October 31.

Those who schedule an appointment early to donate through November 1-17 will receive a $10 e gift card and a change to win one of two $7,000 gift cards.

For more information visit RedCrossBlood.org/Thanks