DALLAS, Dec. 6, 2023 — 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 or platelets 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 their 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. 1-31, 2023, 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. 1-17, 2023, 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-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).

Irving Blood and Platelet Donation Center

 2511 West Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway

Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday through Sunday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Plano Blood and Platelet Donation Center

 741 N US-Central Expressway, Suite 1000

Monday and Tuesday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday through Sunday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Dec. 6-31:

Alvarado

12/22/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., VFW Post 9299, 6732 US-67

Arlington

12/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott Arlington South, 711 Highlander Blvd.

12/8/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., YMCA North Branch, 1005 Skyline Dr.

12/11/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center St.

12/15/2023: 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Medical City Arlington, Pavillion II Auditorium A, 3201 Matlock Rd.

12/21/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Shady Valley Country Club, 4001 W Park Row Dr.

12/23/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., George W. Hawkes Library Arlington, 100 S Center St.

Aubrey

12/28/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., ArrowBrooke Community, 1601 ArrowBrooke Ave.

Benbrook

12/20/2023: 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Benbrook Community Center YMCA, 1899 Winscott Rd.

Carrollton

12/14/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Crosby Recreation Center, 1610 E. Crosby Rd.

12/28/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Carrollton Regional Medical Center, 4343 N. Josey Ln.

Cleburne

12/15/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Elks Lodge 811, 124 FM 1434

Dallas

12/12/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St.

12/12/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Royal Lane Baptist Church, 6707 Royal Ln.

12/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Dallas Chapter, 2055 Kendall Dr.

12/26/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., White Rock Family YMCA, 7112 Gaston Ave.

12/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Red Cross Dallas Chapter, 2055 Kendall Dr.

12/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Clubs of Prestonwood - The Creek, 15909 Preston Rd.

12/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Brookhaven Country Club, 3333 Golfing Green Dr.

Decatur

12/8/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., NRS Enterprises, 4650 S HWY 287

Denton

12/22/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Medical City Denton-Professional Building, 3537 South Interstate 35 E

12/28/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Willowwood Church of the Nazarene, 1513 Willowwood

Duncanville

12/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Duncanville Public Library, 201 James Collins Blvd.

Ennis

12/11/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Fire Station #1, 1700 W Lake Bardwell Dr.

Fairview

12/18/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., LDS - Fairview, 651 E Stacy Rd.

Flower Mound

12/14/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Bridlewood HOA, 5000 Par Dr.

Fort Worth

12/6/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Northpark YMCA - YMCA of Fort Worth, 9100 N. Beach St.

12/8/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., American Red Cross FTW Office, 6000 Western Pl. #6000, Ste. 100

12/22/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ryan Family YMCA, 8250 McCart Ave.

12/23/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hulen Mall, 4800 South Hulen St.

12/26/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Chick-fil-A in Saginaw, 4500 W. Bailey Boswell

12/26/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lowe's Fort Worth, 4305 Bryant Irvin Rd.

12/29/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., American Red Cross FTW Office, 6000 Western Pl. #6000, Ste. 100

12/29/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Northwest YMCA Fort Worth, 5315 Boat Club Rd.

12/29/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical City Fort Worth, 900 8th Ave.

12/30/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 5953 Bowman Roberts Rd.

Frisco

12/6/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Invited - Stonebriar Country Club, 5050 Country Club Dr.

12/18/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Frisco Family YMCA, 3415 W Main St.

Garland

12/20/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Bass Pro Shop, 5001 Bass Pro Dr.

Grand Prairie

12/7/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Grand Prairie Collegiate School, 1502 College St.

12/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Grand Prairie Family YMCA, 4556 S. Carrier Pkwy.

12/21/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Living Spaces, 1514 Arkansas Ln.

Grapevine

12/8/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, 1650 West College St.

Haltom City

12/27/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 655, 2817 Carson St.

Highland Village

12/15/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., The Shops at Highland Village, 3780 Justin Rd.

Irving

12/9/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sewa International Irving, 1605 N Britain Rd.

12/15/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Microsoft, 7000 US St Hwy. 161

Keller

12/16/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Heritage Clubhouse, 9536 Courtright Dr.

12/27/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Lowe's of Keller, 600 North Tarrant Pkwy.

Lewisville

12/30/2023: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Medical City Lewisville, 500 W Main St.

Little Elm

12/15/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., CrossRidge Church, 1701 Walker Ln.

Lucas

12/7/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Lucas City Hall, 665 Country Club Rd.

Mansfield

12/16/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., American Legion Post 624, 2951 FM 917

12/20/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Invited - Walnut Creek Country Club, 1151 Country Club Dr.

McKinney

12/14/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Collin Central Appraisal District, 250 Eldorado Pkwy.

12/12/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Springhill Suites McKinney, 2660 S. Central Expressway

12/15/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, 5252 W. University Dr.

12/16/2023: 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Medical City McKinney, 4510 Medical Center Dr.

12/26/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Springhill Suites McKinney, 2660 S. Central Expressway

Mesquite

12/28/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Stephen United Methodist Church, 2520 Oates Dr.

North Richland Hills

12/13/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical City North Hills, 4401 Booth Calloway Rd.

Plano

12/7/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Medical City Plano, 4001 West 15th St.

12/18/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Plano, 4700 Alliance Blvd.

12/22/2023: 11:30 a.m. - 5 p.m., Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar, 3601 Dallas Pkwy.

12/29/2023: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Chick-fil-A in Plano, 6408 Plano Pkwy.

12/29/2023: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center, Tom Muehlenbeck Recreation Center, 5801 W. Parker Rd.

12/29/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Invited - Gleneagles Country Club, 5401 W. Park Blvd.

Red Oak

12/11/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Chick-fil-A in Red Oak, 200 Sharaf Ave.

Rockwall

12/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 6819 South FM 549

Rowlett

12/21/2023: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Chick-fil-A Rowlett-Hwy 66 and Dalrock Rd., 8500 Lakeview Pkwy.

Royse City

12/21/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., City Hall, 305 N Arch St.

Southlake

12/8/2023: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Lowe's Store 0732, 201 N. Kimball Ave.

12/14/2023: 1 p.m. - 6 p.m., Southridge Lakes HOA, 111 Southridge Lakes Pkwy.

Waxahachie

12/13/2023: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., Texas Department of Transportation-Ballroom 6, 2000 Civic Center Ln.

12/19/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Lowe's Waxahachie, 1420 N. Hwy. 77

12/19/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Waxahachie Police Department Donor Coach, 630 Farley St.

12/22/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Waxahachie Family YMCA, 100 YMCA Dr.

12/27/2023: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Baylor Medical Center of Waxahachie, 2400 N. I35E

Weatherford

12/7/2023: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Lowe's Weatherford, 118 E. Interstate 20

Webster

12/21/2023: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mariposa Apartment Homes at Clear Creek, 1427 FM 528 Rd.

Willow Park

12/21/2023: 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., City of Willow Park Fire/Rescue Department, 101 Stagecoach Trl.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.