Blood Assurance is offering donors up to $40 in e-gift cards through Nov. 13 to encourage donations and strengthen the blood supply ahead of the busy holiday season.

From now through Friday, Nov. 13, eligible donors can receive:

•     $40 e-gift card for platelet or double red cell donations.

•     $25 e-gift card for all other eligible donations.

•     T-shirt featuring the “Game Changers” design through Oct. 31 or a “Friends”-themed long-sleeve shirt Nov. 1–30.

After Nov. 13, $25 e-gift cards will remain available for O-negative whole blood, AB plasma, platelet, and double red cell donations.

The incentives come as donor turnout remains below what’s needed, while requests from local hospitals have increased. The nonprofit currently has less than a day’s supply of O-negative blood, and platelet supplies also remain critically low.

“With Thanksgiving approaching, maintaining an adequate blood supply is becoming even more important,” said Garry Allison, Senior Vice President of Operations for Blood Assurance. “Donations typically drop during the holidays as schools close and families travel. At the same time, hospital demand can increase, especially around busy travel days when accidents and emergencies put additional strain on the blood supply. We need people to donate now so we’re prepared.”

Blood Assurance needs more than 600 donors every day to meet the needs of the hospitals it serves. As the primary blood supplier for most of the hospitals in Middle Tennessee, including both Level I trauma centers and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital, Blood Assurance relies on local donations to help meet patient needs.

Blood donations are needed every day for trauma patients, surgeries, cancer treatments, and other medical emergencies. Platelets are especially important for patients undergoing cancer treatment and have a shelf life of just five days, making regular donations essential.

Tullahoma residents can schedule an appointment at the Blood Assurance at 604 N. Jackson St. near Walgreens by calling 931- 461-5773. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.