The American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society have teamed up this June to encourage people across the country to Give Blood to Give Time and help ensure loved ones have the strength and support they need as they undergo cancer treatment.
According to the American Cancer Society, many patient visits and procedures were forced to delay or cancel early in the pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. With procedures resuming, blood donations are critical for cancer treatments. Unfortunately, the Red Cross is seeing fewer blood and platelet donors give as the nation begins to climb out of this pandemic. This downturn comes at a time when the Red Cross continues to see strong demand for blood products, including platelets, by hospitals, causing concern for the sufficiency of the blood supply this month and throughout the summer.
The Red Cross currently has an emergency need for eligible donors to make an appointment now to give platelets to ensure critical patient needs are met. Platelets, the clotting portion of blood primarily given to cancer patients during treatment, must be transfused within five days of donation and, therefore, are always in great demand.
“Many cancer patients, especially those going through chemotherapy, will have a need for blood products during treatment,” said Dr. Baia Lasky, medical director for the Red Cross. “When someone donates blood or platelets, they may not only help prevent life-threatening bleeding that can cause stroke or relieve some symptoms, like shortness of breath and headaches but also give patients and their families the time and hope they need to fight back.”
Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing red blood cell and platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself or surgical procedures cause the need for blood products. About six blood products are needed every minute to help someone going through cancer treatment. Yet only 3% of people in the U.S. give blood. It is vital that more people donate blood and platelets regularly to meet that need.
To schedule a blood or platelet donation appointment, visit GiveBloodToGiveTime.org. As a special thank-you, those who come to donate through June 13 will receive a limited-edition Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.
Blood donation opportunities June 1 – June 13 by county:
Davidson:
Bellevue
6/6/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bellevue Church of Christ, 7401 Hwy 70 South
Goodlettsville
6/1/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kroger Goodlettsville, 123 Northcreek Blvd.
Madison
6/6/2021: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Madison Church of Christ, 106 Gallatin Rd
Nashville
6/1/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Delta Air Lines – BNA, One Terminal Drive, Suite 501
6/1/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/1/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center 100 Oaks, 719 Thompson Lane
6/10/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/11/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue
6/11/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/12/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/13/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/2/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/2/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Northwest Family YMCA, 3700 Ashland City Highway
6/2/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
6/3/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
6/3/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/4/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall 2215 Garland Ave
6/4/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/5/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/6/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/7/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/8/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
6/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kroger Bellevue, 7087 Hwy 70 S
6/8/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue
6/9/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Holladay Properties, 2710 Old Lebanon Rd., Suite 5
6/9/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave
Rutherford:
La Vergne
6/9/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Baptist Church Lavergne, 375 Old Nashville Highway
Murfreesboro
6/1/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/10/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/11/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/12/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/13/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/3/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/4/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway
6/4/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard
6/4/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/5/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/6/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/7/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., New Vision Baptist Church, 1750 N. Thompson Lane
6/7/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., North Boulevard Church of Christ, 1112 North Rutherford Boulevard
6/7/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/8/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Blackman United Methodist Church, 4380 Manson Pike
6/8/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd.
6/9/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Carbon Culture, 1311 Gresham Park Drive
Smyrna
6/2/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wal-Mart, 570 Enon Springs Road
6/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 300 Sam Hagar Street – Door C
Williamson:
Brentwood
6/13/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Brentwood United Methodist Church, 309 Franklin Rd.
6/4/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Way
6/6/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Journey Church, 1600 Wilson Pike
6/7/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Church of the Good Shepherd, 1420 Wilson Pike
6/8/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., UnitedHealthcare, 10 Cadillac Drive Suite 155
6/8/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd.
6/8/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Brenthaven Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 516 Franklin Road
Franklin
6/13/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Saint Philip Catholic Church, 113 2nd Ave.
6/13/2021: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Saint Philip Catholic Church, 113 2nd Ave.
6/2/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Franklin Lions Club Donor Day at Natchez Trace ARC Chapter Office, 129 West Fowlkes St, Suite 100
6/3/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Natchez Trace American Red Cross Chapter, 129 West Fowlkes St, Ste 100
6/4/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Kroger-Alexander Plaza, 1203 Murfreesboro Road
6/7/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Keller Williams Franklin, 9175 Carothers Blvd.
6/8/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., NHC Place at Cool Springs, 211 Cool Springs Blvd.
6/9/2021: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Carbon Culture – Franklin, 209 South Royal Oaks, Suite 132
6/9/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Harpeth Christian Church, 1101 Gardner Dr.
Nolensville
6/10/2021: 1:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m., Nolensville First United Methodist Church, 7316 Nolensville Road
Wilson:
Lebanon
6/1/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., East/West Building, 945 E Baddour Parkway
6/8/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., East/West Building, 945 E Baddour Parkway
6/9/2021: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m., Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 522 Castle Heights Avenue
Mount Juliet
6/1/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Celebration Lutheran Church, 3425 N Mount Juliet Road
