Red Cross urges holiday blood donations in south-central Kentucky 

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) – The American Red Cross is asking residents in Logan and Warren counties to donate blood during the holiday season, when travel and winter illness can reduce donations while hospitals continue to need lifesaving blood products.

The Red Cross says the demand for blood remains constant year-round for patients undergoing surgeries, cancer treatments, emergency care and childbirth.

“During the holiday season, people are often traveling and out of their normal routines, which can lead to canceled donation appointments,” said Paige Zulandt, regional communications manager for the American Red Cross of Tennessee.

Multiple blood drives are scheduled locally in the coming days.

In Warren County, donations will be accepted at the Holiday Inn University Plaza and Sloan Convention Center, 1021 Wilkinson Trace in Bowling Green, on Dec. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Jan. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A separate drive will be held Dec. 30 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Plano Baptist Church, 600 Plano Richpond Road.

In Logan County, a blood drive is scheduled for Jan. 2 from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Lewisburg Church of Christ at 128 S. Main St. in Lewisburg.

Zulandt said even a single donation can help save more than one life, adding that the need for blood does not slow during the holidays.

Donors can schedule an appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Residents outside those counties can enter their ZIP code online to find nearby donation opportunities and future dates.