(PADUCAH, Ky.) — As autumn arrives, the American Red Cross is launching a special incentive campaign to encourage blood and platelet donations during a critical time when supplies often run low.
The organization announced today that all donors who give blood, platelets, or plasma between September 22 and October 19, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com gift card via email. The promotion comes as the Red Cross faces urgent shortages, particularly for O positive and B negative blood types.
“Every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on critical transfusions get the care they need,” Red Cross officials stated in announcing the fall campaign. The donations support a wide range of medical needs, from emergency care for car accident victims to ongoing treatment for patients with sickle cell disease and cancer.
Multiple Donation Sites Available
The Red Cross has scheduled numerous blood drives throughout western Kentucky and southern Illinois during the first half of October. Local residents have convenient options, with drives planned at churches, medical centers, and community facilities.
In Murray, donors can visit First Presbyterian Church on October 2 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., or the MCCH Center for Health and Wellness on October 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church will host a drive on October 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Paducah Blood Donation Center offers the most frequent opportunities, with drives scheduled nearly every day from October 1-15, including both morning and afternoon time slots to accommodate various schedules.
Other participating locations include churches in Princeton, Elkton, Benton, and Paducah, as well as medical centers in Mayfield and Benton. Several drives are also planned in southern Illinois communities.
Donation Requirements and Process
Prospective donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health. Two forms of identification are required, such as a blood donor card and driver’s license.
To streamline the donation process, the Red Cross encourages donors to use RapidPass, which allows them to complete pre-donation paperwork online before arriving at the drive location.
Appointments can be made through the Red Cross Blood Donor App, at RedCrossBlood.org, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS, or through Alexa-enabled devices using the Blood Donor Skill.
Volunteer Opportunities Available
Beyond donating, community members can support the Red Cross mission by volunteering as blood donor ambassadors, helping to greet and check in donors, or as transportation specialists who deliver blood products to hospitals. Those interested in volunteering can apply at redcross.org/volunteertoday.
The fall donation campaign addresses seasonal challenges that often affect blood supplies as people’s routines change and donation rates typically decline. Health officials emphasize that maintaining adequate blood supplies requires consistent community participation year-round.