Cookeville – Middle Tennessee’s local blood supplier is looking for a few ghouls and goblins to donate lifesaving blood and platelets this Halloween.
On Monday, Oct. 31, Blood Assurance is hosting a Disney-themed Halloween block party and blood drive at its Cookeville location on W. Broad St. Beginning at 8 a.m. Donors and their families will be treated to food, games, inflatables, pumpkin painting and more. At 5 p.m., a trunk or treat event for children will take place, featuring one of Blood Assurance’s bloodmobiles.
“What’s really spooky this Halloween is the area’s low blood supply,” according to Jerry Antoine, regional director of operations for Blood Assurance. “In recent days, we’ve had less than a one-day’s supply of multiple blood types on our shelves, including O-negative and O-positive. That blood is used to treat patients at Cookeville Regional Medical Center, so it’s imperative that we see a large number of superheroes come out to our donation center this Monday.”
Donors can schedule an appointment at bloodassurance.org/schedule, or by calling 800-962-0628, or texting BAGIVE to 999777. Walk-ins will be accepted. Individuals who donate will receive a complimentary t-shirt, commemorating the event.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.
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
