March is proclaimed Red Cross Month. It’s a proclamation given by U.S. Presidents since World War II and the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Throughout the month of March, 750 Red Cross chapters across the country will celebrate in a variety of ways, including holding special events, volunteer training or fundraisers to give people an opportunity to support the organization through donations of time, money or blood.
“One way of celebrating is to continue the mission by donating a unit of blood at a Red Cross donor center or neighborhood blood drive,” said Steve Beeler, CEO, Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region. “A single donation, which actually takes only a few minutes, can help save the lives of three individuals.”
The Red Cross provides vital assistance by organizing blood drives, teaching health and safety programs and supporting our nation’s men and women in uniform.
Each year the Red Cross collects approximately 6.5 million units of blood, from roughly 4.5 million volunteer blood donors. From these donations, the Red Cross distributes around 9.5 million blood products to patients at approximately 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country.
You can join the celebration by giving blood at one of the following locations:
- Monday, March 16 from noon to 5 p.m. at McFadden School of Excellence located at 221 Bridge in Murfreesboro.
- Wednesday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Motlow State Community College located at 5002 Motlow State Blvd. inSmyrna.
- Wednesday, March 18, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church located at 265 W. Thompson Lane inMurfreesboro.
- Thursday, March 19, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Motlow State Community College located at 5002 Motlow Sate Blvd. in Smyrna.
In addition, the Murfreesboro Donor Center located at 836 Commercial Court is open:
- Monday & Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday from 7 a.m. to noon
During March and April everyone who presents to donate at a Red Cross blood center or blood drive will receive an American Red Cross life-saving team baseball hat, while supplies last.
Individuals 17 years of age and older (16 with completed Parental Consent Form), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health, may be eligible to donate blood. The entire process – from check-in to refreshment time in the canteen after donation – normally takes about an hour’s time.
To schedule an appointment, or for more information, donors should call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.bloodisneeded.org. Donors are reminded to bring a photo ID.
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