(MURFREESBORO) The American Red Cross responds to Hurricane Florence by providing food, shelter and comfort to those affected. It also needs your blood donations, and there are many opportunities to give "the gift of life" here in Rutherford County. People can also help by making a financial donation to support relief efforts.

Hurricane Florence's wrath left catastrophic damage behind and also took a toll on blood and platelet donations. Nearly 200 Red Cross blood drives in the Southeast were forced to cancel, resulting in more than 5,200 uncollected blood and platelet donations.

"Natural disasters like hurricanes can disrupt blood drives and prevent donors from giving, but hospital patients still depend on lifesaving transfusions," said Cliff Numark, senior vice president, Red Cross Blood Services. "There is an especially critical need for platelets to help cancer patients and type O blood donations for ongoing patient care and emergencies. Every donation can be a lifeline for patients."

Give Blood at Heart of Tennessee Chapter

Donors of all blood types are urged to help restore hope to patients across the country by making an appointment today to give blood or platelets. Appointments can be made by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Financial donations are also needed and allow the Red Cross to provide disaster relief immediately. Help people affected by Hurricane Florence by visiting RedCross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS or texting the word FLORENCE to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

Rutherford County Blood Donation Points

Murfreesboro Blood Donation Center, 501 Memorial Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN. 37129

9/20/2018: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

9/21/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/22/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/23/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/24/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

9/26/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

9/27/2018: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

9/28/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/29/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

9/30/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/1/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

10/3/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

10/4/2018: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

10/5/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/6/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/7/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/8/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

10/10/2018: 12:30 - 7:30 p.m.

10/11/2018: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

10/12/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/13/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/14/2018: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

10/15/2018: 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

St. Rose Catholic Preschool, 1601 N. Tennessee Blvd. Murfreesboro, TN. 37129

10/4/2018: 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tennessee College of Applied, 1303 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN. 37129

10/8/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Wal-Mart, 570 Enon Springs Road, Smyrna, TN. 37167

9/25/2018: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Tennessee Army National Guard, Building 250, 8th Ave. S. Smyrna, TN. 37167

10/11/2018: 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.