Give blood ahead of busy holiday weeks

Give a gift, get a gift when donors come to Red Cross to give in December

As people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside time to give blood for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

From a record number of people expected to travel to seasonal illnesses and the potential for hazardous winter weather, it can be difficult for the Red Cross to collect enough blood for patients during the winter months. When donors come to give the gift of a blood or platelet donation in December, the Red Cross will say thank you with several exciting opportunities:

  • Thanks to Prime Video and the new film Candy Cane Lane, featuring an all-star cast, including Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross, and directed by Reginald Hudlin, those who come to give blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1 to 31 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card and a 65-inch Omni QLED Series Amazon Fire TV. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
  • Those who come to give blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma Dec. 1 to 17 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Details available at RedCrossBlood.org/Amazon.
  • Those who come to give blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma Dec. 18, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2024, will receive an exclusive Red Cross long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Making and keeping appointments throughout the month can help safeguard the national blood supply into the new year. Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Local blood donation opportunities

Carmel

  • Dec. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Monon Community Center, 1195 Central Park Drive West
  • Dec. 18, noon to 5 p.m.: Cool Creek Nature Center, 2000 E. 151st St.
  • Dec. 20, noon to 5 p.m.: Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Square

Fishers

  • Dec. 7, 1 to 6 p.m.: Pennington Park Church, 13222 E. 126th St.
  • Dec. 11, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Sun King Brewing, 9713 District N. Drive, Suite 1220
  • Dec. 14, 2 to 6 p.m.: IU Health Saxony Hospital, 13100 E. 136th St.
  • Dec. 21, 1 to 6 p.m.: Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
  • Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Fishers YMCA, 9012 E. 126th St.
  • Dec. 26, 1 to 6 p.m.: Billericay Park Multi-Purpose Community Building, 12690 Promise Road
  • Dec. 28, 2 to 6 p.m.: IU Health Saxony Hospital, 13100 E. 136th St.