Red Cross and country music star Martina McBride urge Americans to give comfort through blood donation

Suburban Propane is supporting the effort by offering blood donors a chance to win an Outdoor Living Experience, powered by Propane for those who give now through Dec. 15

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.

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).

“Giving comfort to patients by providing lifesaving blood products is fundamental to the Red Cross mission. However, it’s not possible without the support of generous blood donors and dedicated partners, like Martina McBride and Suburban Propane,” said Paul Sullivan, senior vice president at the Red Cross. “While we have certainly experienced unparalleled hardships this year, we have also witnessed great acts of kindness – like COVID-19 survivors rolling up their sleeves to share their antibodies with patients battling the illness. Donating blood, plasma or platelets is an act of kindness that truly makes a lifesaving difference.”

Lifesaving plasma brings joy and a second chance

Lacy Atkinson is a 37-year-old COVID-19 survivor, in part thanks to a stranger who rolled up their sleeves to donate convalescent plasma and help her body fight back. Atkinson’s life was turned upside down when she was hospitalized for COVID-19 in September. During her stay, infectious disease doctors tried multiple treatments to help her recover with limited success – but she just wasn’t getting better. “My oxygen levels were still low, and I had severe pneumonia in both my lungs,” Atkinson said.

Desperate to help her, doctors offered the one treatment they had left: convalescent plasma. Thankfully, this treatment helped her recover. “I felt such gratitude for the donor who helped me beat COVID. I have a husband, two kids and three dogs that I desperately wanted to get home to. I have a lot of life left to live! I’m so thankful that plasma was available when I needed it.”

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 our staff and donors, it is important that individuals who do not feel well or believe they may be ill with COVID-19 postpone donation.

Blood donation safety precautions 

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – 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 and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.   

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 47670

12/2/2020: 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.

St. Matthews Catholic Church, 421 Mulberry St. Mount Vernon, IN 47620

12/6/2020: 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Trinity Assembly of God, 440 Airline Rd. Morganfield, KY 42437

12/4/2020: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.

UK Extension Office, 3341 Zion Rd. Henderson, KY 42420

12/8/2020: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

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