Red Cross And Martina McBride Urge Americans To Give Comfort Through Blood Donation

(UNDATED) – The American Red Cross and country music star Martina McBride have joined together this holiday season to remind people to take care of one another, sharing comfort and joy with hospital patients through the gift of blood donation. Health emergencies don’t pause for a pandemic or holiday celebrations. The Red Cross needs the help of blood donors across the country now to ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood.

As the U.S. experiences a new surge in COVID-19 cases, the Red Cross is becoming increasingly concerned about the nation’s blood supply – including convalescent plasma. A convalescent plasma donation collects plasma from COVID-19 survivors because antibodies to the disease in their blood may help patients who are currently fighting the virus. Increased hospitalization of patients with coronavirus this fall and winter has caused the Red Cross to distribute a record number of COVID-19 plasma products to hospitals treating patients who are battling the virus.

Martina McBride

This holiday season, Martina McBride is reaching out to country music fans and all eligible individuals, “If nobody has ever asked you to give blood before, I’m asking you to give blood – especially during this trying time.”

As a thank-you for helping meet the need for blood donations from now through Dec. 15, Suburban Propane is offering blood, platelet, and plasma donors a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane, to enable a lucky winner to enjoy socially distanced celebrations with family and friends this holiday season. The prize includes a
propane-powered pizza oven, fire pit, outdoor heater, and stipend towards propane.

“Through our SuburbanCares initiative, giving back to our local communities is a top priority, and what better way to do that than to donate blood. Suburban is delighted to sponsor a Propane Experience Giveaway to help motivate more people to give the gift of life this holiday
season,” said Nandini Sankara, spokesperson for Suburban Propane.

Eligible individuals are urged to make an appointment to donate blood now to help patients in need. Find a donation opportunity using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

COVID-19 antibody testing of blood donations

The Red Cross is testing all blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies which helps provide insight to donors concerning possible prior exposure to this virus. Donors can expect to receive the results of their antibody test within one to two weeks through our Red Cross Blood Donor App or on the donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.

As part of this effort, plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may now help current coronavirus patients in need of convalescent plasma. Each week, whole blood donors with COVID-19 antibodies are helping to contribute between 350-500 units of potentially lifesaving convalescent plasma for patients in need.

The Red Cross is not administering diagnostic tests intended to diagnose illness. As such, to protect the health and safety of staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 1-15:

  • American Red Cross Southwestern Indiana Chapter, 29 South Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714 12/3/2020: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Antioch Christian Church, 3007 E US Highway 50 Washington, IN 47501 12/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Bethel Memorial Church, 1520 S. Main St. Princeton, IN 47670 12/9/2020: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Evansville Blood Donation Center, 29 North Stockwell Road Evansville, IN 47714
  • 12/1/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/2/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/4/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • 12/5/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
  • 12/7/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/8/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/9/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/11/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • 12/12/2020: 7:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.
  • 12/14/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • 12/15/2020: 12:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
  • First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, 115 W. Main St. Taylorsville, KY 40071 12/8/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Gentryville United Methodist Church, 702 Main St. Gentryville, IN 47537 12/1/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Holland United Methodist Church, 205 N. 2nd Ave. Holland, IN 47541 12/15/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Holy Family Catholic Church, 950 E. Church Ave. Jasper, IN 47549 12/9/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Jasper Library, 1116 Main St. Jasper , IN 47546 12/2/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Knights of Columbus Council 2215, 117 S. Main St. Haubstadt, IN 47639 12/10/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Lincoln Heritage Public Library, 105 N. Wallace St. Dale, IN 47523 12/15/2020: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Oasis Assembly of God, 1104 S Stout St. Princeton, IN 4767012/2/2020: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Old National Bank- Jasper, 1 DCB Plaza Jasper, IN 47546 12/14/2020: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Poseyville Community Center, 60 N. Church St. Poseyville, IN 47633 12/14/2020: 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
  • Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Main St. Henderson, KY 42420 12/7/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church, 100 S. Main St. Henderson, KY 42420 12/7/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sisters of St. Benedict, 802 East 10th St. Ferdinand, IN 47532 12/1/2020: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • St Celestine Catholic Church, 6864 East State Road 164 Celestine, IN 47521 12/13/2020: 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.