Williamson County Chamber: Flu Season May Further Impact Red Cross Blood Supply 

Press release from Williamson County Chamber:

2021-11-08

Flu season may further impact Red Cross blood supply 

Emergency blood shortage continues 

NASHVILLE, Tenn., (Nov. 8, 2021) – As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood platelets. The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade. 

According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the already-struggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter. 

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).   

To encourage donors to help meet the needs of hospital patients this month, all who come to donate Nov. 1-23 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email, thanks to Amazon.* Those who come to give around the Thanksgiving holiday, Nov. 24-28, will receive a pair of Red Cross socks, while supplies last. 

Blood drive safety  

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.  

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30 

KENTUCKY 

Christian 

Fort Campbell 

11/18/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Blanchfield Army Hospital, 650 Joel Drive 

11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Fort Campbell Commissary, 2606 Indiana Avenue 

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Hickman 

Clinton 

11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 210 South Washington Street 

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Logan 

Russellville 

11/29/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 296 West 6th Street 

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Marshall 

Benton 

11/30/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., CFSB Benton Banking Center, 221 West 5th Street 

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Trigg 

Cadiz 

11/22/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Trigg County Hospital, 254 Main Street 

11/30/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., St Stephen Catholic Church, 1698 Canton Rd. 

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Warren 

Bowling Green 

11/17/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Downey Student Center, 1906 College Heights Blvd., P.O. Box 51233 

11/19/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace 

11/24/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace 

11/26/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace 

11/26/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Harley Davidson, 251 Cumberland Trace Road 

Oakland 

11/30/2021: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Lions Club Smith Grove, 410 Church St 

TENNESSEE 

Cannon 

Woodbury 

11/18/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Lions Club Building, 634 Lehman Street 

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Coffee 

Manchester 

11/29/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Manchester Recreation Complex, 557 N. Woodland Street 

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Davidson 

Goodlettsville 

11/29/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., First Baptist Church, 613 South Main Street 

Madison 

11/17/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia, 315 Hospital Drive 

11/24/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 741 East Campbell Road 

Nashville 

11/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/16/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue 

11/17/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/18/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/19/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/20/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/21/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/22/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Saint Thomas West Hospital, 4220 Harding Road 

11/23/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue 

11/23/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., The Donelson Fellowship, 3210 McGavock Pk 

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., American Legion Post 88, 2717 McCampbell 

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., The Inn at Opryland, 2401 Music Valley Drive 

11/24/2021: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/25/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/26/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/27/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/28/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/29/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Nashville Blood Donation Center, 2201 Charlotte Ave 

11/30/2021: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Light Hall, 2215 Garland Avenue 

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Giles 

Pulaski 

11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., The Rec Center, 333 East College Street 

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Humphreys 

Waverly 

11/19/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Waverly United Methodist Church, 115 West Main Street 

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Lewis 

Hohenwald 

11/26/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Hohenwald Church of Christ, 110 Park Avenue South 

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Macon 

Lafayette 

11/29/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Lafayette Church of Christ, 212 Church Street 

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Maury 

Columbia 

11/18/2021: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., American Legion Post 19, 812 Nashville Highway, Hwy 31 North 

Spring Hill 

11/22/2021: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., UAW- Local 1853, 125 Stephen P Yokich Pkwy 

11/22/2021: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Southern Springs HOA, 2000 Southern Springs Pkwy 

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Montgomery 

Clarksville 

11/22/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street 

11/23/2021: 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Veteran’s Plaza – William O. Beach Civic Hall, 350 Pagaent Lane 

11/24/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street 

11/26/2021: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Governor’s Square Mall, 2801 Wilma Rudolph Blvd 

11/29/2021: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., American Red Cross, 1760 Madison Street 

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Putnam 

Cookeville 

11/29/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Putnam County Library, 50 E. Broad St. 

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Rutherford 

Murfreesboro 

11/16/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/18/2021: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/18/2021: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., World Outreach Church, 1921 New Salem Highway 

11/19/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/20/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/21/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/22/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/23/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/25/2021: 8:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/26/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/27/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/28/2021: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/29/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

11/30/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. 

Smyrna 

11/18/2021: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Cornerstone United Methodist Church, 349 Chaney Road 

11/24/2021: 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Tennessee Army National Guard, Building 250, 8th Avenue South 

11/29/2021: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 300 Sam Hagar Street – Door C 

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Smith 

Gordonsville 

11/22/2021: 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., New Middleton Baptist Church, Hwy 141 

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Williamson 

Brentwood 

11/16/2021: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

11/16/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

11/17/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

11/23/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Brentwood Library, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

11/24/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

11/30/2021: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., City of Brentwood, Brentwood Library, 8109 Concord Rd. 

Franklin 

11/16/2021: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vanderbilt Medical Group, 2105 Edward Curd Lane 

11/17/2021: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Keller Williams Franklin, 9175 Carothers Blvd. 

11/17/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., CoolSprings Galeria, 1800 Galleria Blvd. 

11/18/2021: 12:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., Oak Valley Baptist Church, 1161 Lewisburg Pike 

11/24/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., NHC Place at Cool Springs, 211 Cool Springs Blvd. 

11/26/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lotz House, 1111 Columbia Ave 

11/30/2021: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., Lifetime Fitness, 5020 Carothers Parkway 

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Wilson 

Lebanon 

11/29/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., St. Frances Cabrini Catholic, 300 South Tarver Avenue 

Mount Juliet 

11/17/2021: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Mt Juliet Community Center, 1075 Charlie Daniels Parkway 

11/26/2021: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Kroger 590, 4120 N Mt. Juliet Road 

Save time during donation  

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements. 

Health insights for donors  

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.     

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.   

About the American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.   

This press release was produced by Williamson County Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.