HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The American Red Cross is urgently seeking blood donations to replenish supplies hit hard by Hurricane Helene. The storm has caused the cancellation of over 100 blood drives in the Southeast, leading to thousands of missed donations.
Donors outside the affected areas are encouraged to give blood now. The Red Cross has a national network that allows them to move blood to where it's needed most.
If you're interested in helping, visit here, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to make an appointment.
In addition to blood donation efforts, the Red Cross is on the ground providing vital relief, such as food, water, and shelter, to communities impacted by the hurricane.
Incentives for Donors
Everyone who gives blood or platelets from October 1-31 will receive a $10 Amazon gift card by email and be entered to win one of three $5,000 gift cards.
Here are some upcoming donation opportunities in Alabama from October 8-31:
Athens
- Oct. 8: 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1716 West Market St.
Huntsville
- Oct. 8: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center, 1015 Airport Rd., SW
- Oct. 11: 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 12: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 13: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 14: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 15: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 16: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Lockheed Martin - Gateway, 1200 Redstone Gateway SW
- Oct. 18: 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 19: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 20: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 21: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 22: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Alabama A&M Health & Wellness Center, 4900 Meridian St. N.
- Oct. 22: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 24: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., J.F. Drake State Technical College, Building 700, 3421 Meridian St. N.
- Oct. 25: 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 26: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 27: 8:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 28: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
- Oct. 29: 1 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Huntsville Blood Donation Center
Madison
- Oct. 19: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., St. John's Catholic Church, 1055 Hughes Road
To donate, all you need is to be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Bring a blood donor card or ID.