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With the region heading into one of the toughest weeks of the year for the blood supply, Blood Assurance is offering special donor incentives and expanding Sunday hours to urge the community to act now.

Beginning Sunday, Nov. 23, and running through Sunday, Nov. 30, all O-negative blood donors and all platelet donors will receive a $50 eGift card as part of a one-week effort to boost donations ahead of and immediately following Thanksgiving.

To make donating easier during the holiday week, select Middle Tennessee donor centers will open for special Sunday hours on November 23:

•     Columbia Donor Center: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

•     Franklin Donor Center: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

•     Cookeville Donor Center: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

•     Tullahoma Donor Center: 9 a.m. – 1p.m.

“Thanksgiving week is historically one of the hardest times for blood donation,” said Garry Allison, Senior Vice President of Operations for Blood Assurance. “Travel, school breaks, and holiday plans pull people away from donating, yet patients in our hospitals still need blood and platelets. This incentive is our way of thanking donors for stepping up when it matters.”

During the one week incentive period, donors will receive:

• $50 eGift card for all O-negative blood donors

• $50 eGift card for all platelet donors

• A long-sleeve holiday “Sleighin’ It” t-shirt for every donor, while supplies last

Why This Matters

O-negative is the universal blood type used in ERs and trauma situations when there isn’t time to determine a patient’s blood type.

Platelets are vital for cancer patients, NICU babies, and those with blood disorders — and expire in just five days, making holiday slowdowns especially dangerous.

Blood Assurance is the primary supplier for most hospitals in Middle Tennessee, meaning donations have a direct and immediate impact on local patients.

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

About Blood Assurance

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.