{"id":21434,"date":"2015-10-19T18:00:55","date_gmt":"2015-10-19T23:00:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/?p=21434"},"modified":"2015-10-19T21:51:59","modified_gmt":"2015-10-20T02:51:59","slug":"red-cross-encourages-blood-donations-before-holidays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.discoverclarksville.com\/articles\/2015\/10\/19\/red-cross-encourages-blood-donations-before-holidays\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Cross encourages blood donations before holidays"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"AmericanNashville, TN <\/strong>– The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood before the holiday season is in full swing.<\/p>\n

Blood donations often decline from Thanksgiving to New Year\u2019s Day when holiday festivities pull people away from their donation appointments. This often causes a drop in the blood available for patients. Donations are needed in the weeks leading up to the holidays to help offset this seasonal decline.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Soldiers give blood in support of the local Red Cross. (Staff Sgt. Barbara Ospina)<\/p><\/div>\n

Blood donor Kathy Steckly Neuschwander\u2019s father gave blood for years. She always saw him wear his pin when he reached his next gallon \u2013 about 12 gallons total. When he was diagnosed with leukemia, she and her family learned firsthand how important blood donations could be around the holidays.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe passed away in 1994 from leukemia and needed a blood transfusion so we could have one more Thanksgiving together,\u201d she said. \u201cMy brother and sister were able to come home from the East Coast for this. I can now say I am wearing his three-gallon pin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Donors with all blood types are needed, and especially those with types O negative, B negative, A negative and AB blood. To make an appointment to donate blood, download the free Red Cross Blood Donor App from app stores, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1.800.RED.CROSS (1.800.733.2767). Donors can now use the Blood Donor App to access their donor card and view vital signs from previous donations.<\/p>\n

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:<\/p>\n

Kentucky<\/h3>\n

Christian County<\/h4>\n

Fort Campbell<\/strong><\/p>\n